A DAVYHULME power plant that has been in the pipeline for years could be one step closer to being realised after updated plans were submitted to the council.

Barton Renewable Combined Heat and Power Plant proposal was approved in 2013 but had been put on hold earlier this year while Peel Energy investigated the viability of the plant also supplying heat.

Studies were conducted in the subsequent months and Peel concluded that they should push ahead with plans to build a dual purpose plant, which would supply heat as well as energy to nearby homes and businesses.

A planning application has been submitted to Trafford Borough Council to vary design and layout aspects of the plant, which would be located on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal.

The amendments include reducing the canal side profile of the main turbine hall/boiler house/heat exchanger building; minor refinements to architectural design and a minor realignment of the site access.

Jon England, Peel Energy project manager, said: “It was always envisaged that the plant would generate renewable electricity to the grid and, where possible, provide heat to serve local users. As outlined earlier in the year, we have spent the last few months undertaking studies that confirm there is a sizeable local market keen to make good use of heat produced as an electricity generation by-product.

“As well as reducing the physical scale of the plant, our proposed revisions will assist with established local and national government policies to produce and use energy more sustainably.”

The energy plant has come up against opposition in the past, with Trafford Borough Council objecting to the original planning application and calls from The Breathe Clean Air Group (BCAG) for plans to be scrapped.

Speaking about the newly-submitted plans, Pete Kilvert, chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group, said: "This confirms what we have said before that Peel Energy is pushing ahead with its polluting incinerator. It should not be located in a built up area which is already being polluted by the M60 motorway.

“There are 36 schools within the fall-out zone of its deadly pollution, which will result in massive ill-health impacts for our children."

What do you think about the power plant plans? Do you welcome or oppose it? Send your views to sam.editorial@messengergrp.co.uk.