BATTLE has begun between two groups of Southampton residents fighting over plans to build a £20m power station.
A public inquiry opened at Romsey into the proposals for a combined heat and power plant, which would provide cheaper heating bills for thousands of residents in Millbrook and Redbridge.
But the plant would be built at Nursling, which comes under the borough of Test Valley - 100 metres from homes and 500 metres from the River Test and a nature reserve.
Amid accusations of snobbery from Millbrook and Redbridge residents, Test Valley planners have unanimously refused the application.
But Southampton City Council and the government have backed the plan because it would produce less carbon emissions than coal-fired stations and cut heating bills for residents by 15 per cent.
The plant would initially serve 3,000 homes, ten schools and commercial properties, but eventually 10,000 properties in Redbridge and Millbrook could benefit.
*** See story: 'Not in our back yard'. ***
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