A PLANNING inspector has set out the key issues to be put under the microscope during the decision-making process on plans for a £250m biomass-fuelled power station on the Northumberland coastline.

A formal examination begins this month into the bid by Renewable Energy Systems (RES) to build the 100-megawatt generating plant at Battleship Wharf on the River Blyth.

RES has applied to the Planning Inspectorate for approval to build the power station at the Port of Blyth’s cargo-handling facility between the villages of North Blyth and Cambois.

Now the inspector appointed to conduct an examination of the proposal – which will take place over the next five months – has held an initial meeting, and outlined the principal issues which will be looked into before a decision is made.

These include safety, emissions, landscape, visual impacts, design, the marine environment, access and transport and the sustainability of biomass fuel.

RES says the power plant, which will be fuelled by woodchip, pellets or briquettes, will have the capacity to provide the annual energy needs of 170,000 homes.

Dozens of people in the two neighbouring communities are campaigning against its construction, claiming it will be too big and too close to their homes.