OBJECTORS to a planned power station on the edge of a South Lakeland village are urging people to make known their opposition to the controversial development ahead of the public consultation deadline.

Residents of Old Hutton are strongly against the gas-fired power station and storage unit being built on the edge of the village and the proposals have been heavily criticised at a series of public meetings.

A South Lakeland District Council spokesperson said the statutory consultation period expired after three weeks but the local authority is obligated to take account of all representations up to the time the decision is made by the planning committee. This means complaints can be lodged until the likely date of theplanning meeting, which is July 27.

More than 400 objections to the plans have been lodged so far, reflecting the discontent among villagers who say their way of life is going to be badly affected by the construction.

“There is a growing swell of concern from local residents,” said David Stephenson, of Old Hutton.

“There are going to be protests to oppose the building of this because of the negative impact on our lives.

“It is part of an ongoing issue of industrialisation of the area. This is a proposed £35 million investment, and it is in non-renewable energy.

“From a human interest perspective, there is extreme concern.

“It will provide no jobs for the area, as it is practically unmanned. It will have two people working there.

“They are tapping into a high pressure gas line, so there are potential issues with that.

“There will be noise and congestion from the construction work.

“The proposals will pose a flooding risk. They will require an eight acre area of land to be hard-standed. All the water will be channelled into local water course.

“This is a great concern for inhabitants down stream.”

It is planned that the power station will be used as a ‘peaking plant’ to help cope with surges in demand.