The controversial plans for a coal power plant at Hunterston would be a boost for jobs, say a council committee in Inverclyde.

The council’s ‘Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee’ has agreed there is no need to submit a formal objection to plans for a multi-fuel power station at Hunterston in Ayrshire.

The controversial plant has already received 16,000 objections from the local community, while SEPA and the RSPB have raised strong concerns about the proposals.

A report to the council committee considered the impact of the project on traffic in Inverclyde, the effect on the environment and employment.

Vice Convener and Chairman of Inverclyde’s Green Charter and Environment Group Councillor David Wilson said: “Given the scale of the project we were quite rightly consulted and I know officers have looked carefully into the likely effect such a facility could have on Inverclyde.

“On coal alone it is claimed current technology will reduce carbon emissions at the new power station by up to 25 per cent, and that could be further cut by carbon capture and storage. Officers decided there would be a negligible impact on air quality standards both in terms of added traffic through the area and from the plant itself.” FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S LARGS NEWS