Hunterston proposal abandoned

To the relief of many, Ayrshire Power Ltd withdrew its planning application for a coal-fired power station last week, conceding that it was ‘contrary to local and national planning policies and would not have captured 100% of carbon emissions from day one.’

North Ayrshire Council Leader, Willie Gibson, welcomed the decision. He said: ‘The Council unanimously rejected these proposals last November on the basis that the application lacked sufficient information on the potential impact on human health and the local environment.’ He added, ‘We have the highest unemployment rate in Scotland, and while this proposal would have brought much-needed jobs to the area, the cost was simply too high in terms of risking public health. The company’s decision to withdraw the application is a victory for common sense.’