Residents have their say on second Keadby power station

Pictured at the SSE consultation in Keadby are (right to left) Andrew Percy MP, Coun John Briggs, clerk to Amcotts Parish Council and Crowle Town Council Julie Reed, Chair of Keadby with Althorpe Council Peter Johnson, Lead for Gas Development for SSEAlasdair MacSween and project design lead for SSE Adrian Coe.

Two public information drop-in sessions were held on Friday and Saturday to inform folk about the project, known as ‘Keadby 2’, which was originally given planning consent in 1993. Around 50 residents and stakeholders attended sessions held at Ealand Victory Hall and St Oswald’s Church Hall in Keadby.

Information on display included updated plans for the consented 710MW combined cycle gas turbine station as well as the proposed construction traffic route which will utilise the recently constructed North Pilfrey Bridge in order to avoid local villages.

Alasdair MacSween, head of gas developments for SSE, said: “We are delighted with the level of engagement at the events. As a responsible developer SSE is keen to engage with the local community and welcomes the opportunity to answer any questions people may have. The feedback gained showed positive support for the project and gave SSE team members direct access to local opinion.”

SSE plans to submit updated drawings to North Lincolnshire Council later this year. Following this an investment decision will be required ahead of any construction commencing.

Jade Fearon, community liaison manager for SSE, added: “As the locally based representative for the project I am keen that communications between SSE and the local community are kept as active as possible. Should any plans be progressed for the Keadby 2 project there will be regular communications issued in the local area. In the meantime I would encourage anybody to contact me with questions they may have. The project website will also be updated regularly.”

For further information on the Keadby 2 Project please visit www.sse.com/keadby

Isle MP Andrew Percy and councillors John Briggs and Julie Reed attended the consultation last Saturday,

Mr Percy said: “This was a great opportunity to ask the questions that residents have previously raised with us. John, Julie and I are all concerned about the construction access to the site and we have sought reassurances on this issue. As importantly the residents tell us that the proposals must not industrialise the landscape even further, and we have been able to look at what exactly the proposals would do for the area.”

Coun Briggs said: “I asked for assurances about, and for more details on, the traffic management plan, particularly to ensure that no traffic passes through Chapel Lane, Keadby nor Bonnyhale Road in Ealand, and that construction traffic uses the new wind farm bridge that was constructed off the A18. Residents need to be assured and we have sought these assurances.”

Coun Julie Reed added: “Residents are certainly asking why the new K2 is progressing when K1 scheme was previously mothballed. It was good however to meet with Andrew and John and parish councillor Peter Johnson and consider some of the proposals in more detail.”