THIS IS the stunning first showing of how Willingtonʼs proposed £1 billion new power station could look.
The five cooling towers from the former coal fired power station which dominate the South Derbyshire landscape would be demolished.
In their place, if the Government gives it the green light, would be a 2,000 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine facility.
The development would involve up to four sets of two chimneys – each approximately 75 metres high – a control room, offices, stores and a water treatment plant.
RWE npower, the company behind the plans, is also hoping to plant 10,000 trees on 26 hectares of ‘green space’.
These pictures, obtained by The Mail, give an overview of how the proposed station would look from the sky, and a before and after shot from its Twyford Road entrance.
The photos have been on show at exhibitions held at the Willington Sports and Social Club over the last two days.
Martyn Ford, who represents Willington on South Derbyshire District Council, said: “Many people I have spoken to in Willington and Findern are excited about the project. Many support it, and I have only had one person complain.” The decision to demolish the present cooling towers has met with a mixed reaction.
Some villagers would like to see at least one retained as a symbol of the village’s past, while others can’t wait to see them go.
Councillor Ford said: “I understand people’s views. But we have to be realistic. The towers can’t be used in the new scheme.” RWE npower surveys have shown that a new station ‘would not have a detrimental impact’ on noise, air quality, transport and flooding.
However, some believe the company could do a bit more to help the environment.
Willington resident John Orme, of St Michael’s Close, who supports the power station plans, said: “Given the need to have renewable energy, I am a little disappointed they are not looking at something which is biomass rather than gas.
“When you think on a few years ahead it would be a pity if we did not seize the opportunity to do something about renewable energy.” Around 2,000 construction jobs and 100 fulltime posts would be created by the development.
Forecasts suggest that the station, if given the go-ahead, would not begin operating until 2015.