Building is due to start in January on the new £600million gas turbine power station, which will take up to four years to complete.

And although only around 30 to 40 jobs will be created in the eventual plant, the process of building it will require 1,000 workers.

EDF Energy, the company behind the scheme - and owners of Cottam, Sutton Bridge and the current West Burton Power Stations - have been given the go-ahead by the Government's Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and now look likely to be given a final Government rubber stamp for the project.

Some local councillors and MPs have welcomed the boost to the economy - but there were words of warning from environmentalists about the impact of building new power stations.
Coun Reg Shore, leader of West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) said he was delighted with the news.

"This is fantastic news not just for Gainsborough but for the whole surrounding area too.
"I am pleased that EDF Energy have decided to invest in our area and our future growth.

"It's going to create lots of jobs in the construction phase, more secure posts when it is eventually built and is adding to the jigsaw of regeneration in the area."

The new station, which is expected to be operational by 2011, will have a capacity of around 1300 megawatts, enough to supply the needs of around 1.5 million homes.


The new plant will enable EDF Energy to start reducing the carbon intensity of its generation fleet and they say it will play an important role in reducing the company's impact on the environment.

EDF claim the development will ensure the increasing energy needs of the UK will continue to be met and it will also help the company to meet its 'commitment to reduce the carbon intensity of its electricity generation activities by 60 per cent by 2020'.

EDF Energy's chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: "We are very pleased with BERR's decision which marks an important milestone for the project. This planned investment demonstrates EDF Group's long term commitment to the UK.

"We have been consulting on our plans extensively with statutory bodies and local groups since July 2005 and we would like to thank all those who took part for their valued input. We will continue to consult with these and other interested parties as the project progresses."

The consent for the application for the power station was announced on Tuesday and granted under Section 36 of the Electricity Act.
Bassetlaw MP John Mann, also welcomed the announcement.

He said: "Whilst we as individuals can do our bit to reduce our carbon footprint, it is the actions of the big power plants that will make the most significant difference.
"I am very pleased to hear that EDF Energy are taking positive action to ensure that they reduce their carbon intensity."

A spokesman for the Friends Of The Earth environmental group said more needs to be done to bring existing coal fired stations up to date.
She said: "We welcome the news that a new gas turbine station is to be built as it produces a smaller carbon footprint, but we are encouraging these companies to update their coal fired stations to bring them more in line with today's standards.

"Lincolnshire and the surrounding area is a great place for wind energy and we would urge companies to look into those energy solutions."
Sturton-le-Steeple businessman Michael Carnell, who is also a member of the Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said he preferred the gas turbine station being built compared to another coal powered station.
He said: "During the construction stage there is a concern that there would be more traffic running through local villages, so we hope the disruption is minimised and traffic is kept on the A-roads.

"We have been trying to lobby for some time with the local rail network responsible for the Lincoln to Sheffield line to develop a rail stop at West Burton Power Station. They could get employees in by rail along with construction materials.

"We previously developed a proposal for a circular rail route using all the existing tracks. One of the ideas was to have an un-manned stop at West Burton. There are lots of advantages but it never got off the ground. The rail network could have been used to extract gravel and sand as well. But, with the additional traffic, it will be a big concern to residents not just in the vicinity but in Everton, Bawtry and the surrounding areas."

Elaine Rockliffe, chairman of Sturton-le-Steeple Parish Council, said: "Traffic through small villages is a concern already but you can only wonder what life is going to be like when the work starts.

"It would be hypocritical of me to say I oppose the building of a new power station, we all rely on the energy they supply. And to some extent it does not matter what the parish council say, we can only try and protect the village as much as we can. But we seem to be paying the price for other people's benefit."