THE FINAL decision on plans for a major power plant at a Blackburn factory will be made by a Government minister.

Scottish Power has applied for planning permission to build a power plant at Sappi paper mill in Feniscowles.

The state-of-the-art generator will provide power for the factory and the remaining electricity will be taken up by Scottish Power.

Sappi have been negotiating with Scottish Power and settled on a multi-million pound deal.

The power company will build the plant in return for the excess power it will generate.

The plant will take two years to build and will create around a dozen new jobs when it is running.

Sappi hopes to increase the size of its factory in the near future and will have a handy power source available.

The company has held two public meetings in the Feniscowles area to explain its plans to local residents.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has been asked for its comments on the application but the final decision will be taken by the Department of Trade and Industry.

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