RESIDENTS are to get the opportunity to see how plans to build a 'green' power station in Blackburn will affect their community. ScottishPower hope to build the environmentally-friendly plant at Sappi Europe's Blackburn Mill in Feniscowles - creating 100 jobs and enough electricity for every home in Blackburn and Darwen.

Now homeowners will be able to see what effects the 7,000 sq metre site will have on the area at an exhibition at Feniscowles Community Centre on Saturday, November 15, from 11am-4pm.

Specialists from Sappi Europe and ScottishPower will be on hand to answer queries.

Sappi Europe's David Enyon said: "As long as no major problems arise we will be submitting a formal planning application the week after."

The gas-fired Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant is regarded as the way forward in reducing emissions of exhaust gases that have been linked to global warming.

If it gets the go-ahead, 100 temporary construction jobs will be created as well as a dozen permanent jobs in operation and maintenance of the plant which is planned to be built on land close to the canal.

Councillor Alan Cottam would like to see the plant built further away from residential areas but is in doubt that it will be good for the town. He said: "It will be an additional business in the area and will offer short term construction contracts for local firms and manpower. Furthermore, it will contribute to the borough in the form of business rates."

He added: "The power generating operator needs a site adjacent to a successful and long term user of steam and this liaison with Sappi speaks volumes for the future employment prospects in the existing mill."

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