An application for a change of planning classification for the electricity generating plant at Hadnock Road has been unanimously recommended for rejection by town planners.

Crossdean Ltd have applied for a 'sui generis' classification so it can continue to run diesel engines at the Valley Enterprise Park to generate electricity for the National Grid.

A number of online comments have already objected to the increased noise and pollution levels from the plant, despite the Environmental Health Department haven given its approval providing a noise and air impact assessment is completed within three months.

The recommendation from town planners was for refusal on the grounds that the site is large and that the capacity in that classification is not conditional so there could be no limit on the amount of generation, there was no condition on the type of fuel to be used, and that it would add to the present levels of noise and pollution within the vicinity of five schools and a residential area.