PLANS to include a major industrial site in the New Forest National Park have sparked a second public inquiry into the proposed boundary.
Next week's hearing has been ordered after rural affairs minister Alun Michael ruled that the park should be enlarged to include Fawley Power Station.
Mr Michael says the move will seal a "hole" in the 571 square-kilometre scheme, which was given the go-ahead in June. However, his decision has sparked an objection by RWE npower, which owns the huge oil-fired complex near the shores of Southampton Water.
An RWE spokesman said: "We feel the late inclusion of the power station is unreasonable and have lodged an objection based on the fact that the site doesn't satisfy the criteria for a National Park."
The spokesman said Mr Michael's recommendation, if approved, could hinder operations at the 175-acre complex.
"In recent years it's been necessary to invest in changes, sometimes at very short notice, to enable Fawley to maintain its capability as a back-up site. Inclusion in the National Park could inhibit this capability," he said.
But the minister's proposal was welcomed today by Allan Glass, chairman of Fawley Parish Council.
He said: "It may seem odd to include a power station in a National Park, but it's important to look ahead to a time when the building is no longer used for its original purpose.
"If it's left out of the scheme it could become another rubbish burner or something equally unsuitable for the area.
"We don't want the whole of the Waterside to become a dumping ground for incinerators, power stations and other industrial sites."
The inquiry will be the second into the National Park and its boundary.
The first was chaired by government planning inspector Roy Foster, who said the scheme should be extended to include land north of the power station.
As reported in the Daily Echo, Mr Michael later extended the proposed addition to include the building itself.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) defended the minister's decision.
A DEFRA spokesman said: "The New Forest National Park will last a lot longer than features such as power stations that happen to be plonked in the middle.
"Excluding the power station would create a doughnut-style hole in the National Park.
"There are precedents for having a major industrial site within a National Park and the minister considers it sensible to include the power station in the designated area. However, objections to its inclusion mean a hearing must be held."
The inquiry will be held at the Lyndhurst Park Hotel, Lyndhurst, next Tuesday and Thursday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article