Concerns raised over power plant expansion

Councillors in Hatfield Town are requesting an audience with Richard Budge over plans to increase the size of a power plant.

Richard Budge, the pit boss, is planning to increase the size of the planned coal-fired power plant which is in Stainforth, adjacent to Hatfield Colliery.

Approval for planning permission for the power generating facility plant on presently unused land adjacent to the pit has already been granted but now the firm is requesting permission to increase the generating capacity from four hundred and thirty megawatts to nine hundred megawatts.

Residents of the locality have expressed concern that the plant will be emitting fumes which will pollute the area. The locals are also concerned that traffic on their roads will increase.

Eddie Durdey a Councillor for Hatfield revealed that the whole Council was concerned and they were waiting to discuss the matter with a representative of the colliery and the power plant.

Councillor Mick Glynn expressed concern that the construction of the power plant could be granted approval when Martin Winter, the Doncaster mayor had already refused to give permission for the construction of a rubbish incinerator in the Borough. Councillor Mick Glynn added that the area was already polluted by fumes from the airport and the residents wanted a link road to be built before the power plant was constructed.

Powerfuel has already applied to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform but while the council of Doncaster would be sounded out on the issue, it will not have the powers to decide anything.