Electricity plant generates fears

Photo: Darren Robinson

Proposed site for new plant.

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SPARKS are flying over plans to build an electricity generating plant close to homes.

UK Power Reserve Limited has submitted plans to Oldham Council proposing a generating plant on land at Stock Lane, Chadderton.

The site, currently used for parking wagons, will house eight gas-fuelled generators, which will support the local grid. The proposals go before the planning committee next month.

But local residents on neighbouring Dairy Street are unhappy about the proposal, which could mean the plant overlooks many of their homes.

Joan Davies (83), who has lived in the area for 42 years, said: “I am concerned about what impact it will have on our street, particularly if it will be noisy.

“Some younger residents have also put forward formal complaints as well so we will see what happens.”

Another resident said: “We don’t know a lot about the site and the plans are quite confusing.

“We don’t know how it will work, how long it will take to build or how tall it will be when it is completed.

“I’m worried that my flat will never get any natural light if the electricity plant is built.”

But not all residents are angry about the development. One said: “Neighbours say they are being woken up at 5am when the wagons and lorries start arriving and leaving. I can’t see the plant making much difference, especially if it isn’t used round the clock.

The developer says the closest home will be 166 yards away from the site, and generators will be housed in soundproofed engine cells.

“It is not anticipated that the proposed development will have any significant impact on this property or any other residential properties in the vicinity,” it adds.