A GAS powered energy station which would provide extra electricity in peak times could be built in a residential street in Madley.

Residents have raised objections to the application for a small scale gas fired energy reserve facility on land off Stone Street.

The applicant, Gary Poole of STOR 112 Ltd in Street, Somerset wants to build a 10m-high engine hall with up to 10 chimneys with a height of 13m.

The station could provide up to 20MW to support the provision of local power demand during peak periods. This is enough electricity to power 4,861 homes.

The application said the station will be typically switched off and waiting for an instruction via National Grid to power up.

Resident Julia Kury said: “The location of this facility is in the middle of residential houses and close to the village of Madley. I am concerned as to the visual impact of the facility and the impact on air and noise pollution.”

Mr and Mrs Marden said the 13 metre high chimneys would be detrimental to the landscape.

While Kingstone & Thruxton Group Parish Council said: “While the proposal is for a reserve facility and the application states that the facility will not be in constant use.

"It seems likely that given the well-publicised shortfalls in generating capacity in the UK that the facility will be used more than anticipated (including more night time use), and therefore the environmental impact will be even greater."

Store Power Ltd, the parent company of STOR 106 Ltd, undertook a site finding exercise in late 2015/ early 2016 with the aim of identifying sites that were available.

The station would be limited to running 1,500 hours per year and would run between one to seven hours per day, between 8am and 8pm, typically at weekdays.

Planners said the design of the development will minimise noise levels and noise from the plant will be well below the noise standards contained in World Health Organisation guidelines.

Jon Antoniou, CEO of STOR Power Ltd, said: “Overall it is therefore concluded that the proposed development is acceptable in planning terms and meets the government’s objectives to ensure that the UK continues to support the transition to a low carbon economy and to have a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity.”

The council is aiming to make a decision by October 28.