Centrica has today 20 May confirmed it is withdrawing plans to progress with its planning proposal for a back-up energy facility on land off Stag Oak Lane, Chineham Park, and will continue to focus on other proposed development sites.
Maria Miller said, "In a meeting this morning Centrica has confirmed to me that as a result of the concerns raised the proposals for a new power station in Chineham have been stopped. The concerns raised have been listened to and this is a victory for common sense. It was wrong to propose a new power station next to a nursery, railway line and in the heart of a residential area.
"Given the need for additional greener energy sources in the future I believe it's time for local authorities like Basingstoke Council to develop, in consultation with residents, a strategy for these additional energy sites. That way inappropriate sites such as this can be avoided in future. "