A proposed new power station in Rugby is expected to be given the stamp of approval by Rugby Borough Council, despite attracting 80 objections.

The council committee will discuss planning permission for the site in Parkfield Road tonight, and then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State.

Although this will not necessarily guarantee that the development will be allowed, Rugby Borough Council’s Development Control Manager Brian Hall believes the issue is nearing conclusion.

He said:

"We have had these plans in front of us for around 18 months and in that time we have received several objections, around 25 letters and also a petition with 55 signatures on it.

"We have also made objections ourselves on various issues such as access, noise, pollution and other ecological arguments but we are now quite satisfied that these have been addressed.

"The site is a large area which is available for development and there are no residential buildings within 400 metres.

"Furthermore, it will be situated right behind Rugby Cement so although it will be visible it will not look out of place as that is also a large development."

The gas-fuelled power station is intended to supply power for Rugby Cement as well as any new developments on the remainder of the 20-acre site, and also distribute power to the National Grid.

However, despite admitting that he did expect the council to back the scheme, Hall stressed that there were several guidelines the council would be submitting for the developers to follow.

He said:

"We have made out four or five pages of requirements of permission recommendations that we will suggest the Department of Environment insist on before granting this.

"The other issue is that the Secretary of State has to decide whether he thinks the National Grid needs the extra power that the station is proposing to supply."