Progress Power Ltd is proposing to build a 299MW gas-fired power station on the Eye Airfield. Two possible sites in Yaxley (west of Leys Lane) are also being considered for the electrical connection compound. This is likely to be the largest and most significant planning application in the area since the airfield itself was built in the early 1940s. The construction of a power generating plant of this size will impact upon our communities in many ways but the visual impact on open countryside in Yaxley could be very significant if Progress Power gets permission to build the substation on a green field site.
The electrical substation will cover an area roughly the size of 3 football pitches and contain equipment 12.5M high (that’s just over 1.5 times the height of an average house). There will be a second smaller compound (45x25M) containing a building 10M high.
This proposal falls within the category NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT (NSIP). The developer (Progress Power) has submitted a proposal to the Planning Inspectorate to construct a NSIP and the public exhibitions held locally in October 2013 were part of the process.
You can obtain full details about the project from the Progress Power website www.progresspower.co.uk
Progress Power has stated that it intends to submit a formal application to the Planning Inspectorate in the first quarter of 2014.
The Planning Inspectorate will operate the planning process through what is called a DEVELOPMENT CONSENT ORDER. You can read more about this process on the Planning Inspectorate website: http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/eastern/progress-power-station/
Yaxley Parish Council considered the developer’s Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) at a meeting on 24 October 2013. You can read the Parish Council’s response by clicking here.
Suffolk County Council considered the PEIR at the Cabinet meeting held on 5 November 2013. You can access the Committee papers by clicking here and the Minutes of the meeting by clicking here.
Mid Suffolk District Council considered the PEIR at the Council Executive meeting held on 18 November 2013. You can read the minutes of the Council meeting by clicking here. You can read the District Council's response to Progress Power by clicking here.
A local action group COMMON CONCERN has been formed. The Group wants to work for the local community by primarily raising awareness of what this project means to us. You can read how to sign up to COMMON CONCERN by clicking here. Click here to visit the Common Concern website. The Group’s strength will be in its ability to circulate important information quickly and effectively to those that have signed up.
