Amber Online

A controversial power station which was refused planning permission two years ago has been built anyway.

National Smokeless Fuels was refused permission for the plant at Monkton Coke Works after a public inquiry in December 1987. A Department of the Environment inspector said it should not be built because of fears about further pollution to local housing estates. But South Tyneside Council now says NSF has built the power station in existing buildings - a move needing no planning permission. And it looks increasingly likely that the firm will get permission for the 55 metre chimney it needs to offload noxious gases from the power production process. Planning permission for that chimney was also refused in 1987. But NSF has successfully challenged the ruling in the High Court by arguing that the Department of the Environment exceeded its powers. The speed with which NSF has built its power plant indicates its confidence in getting the go-ahead to start using gas from its coke production to create electricity. NSF has already built a new chimney on site which may be part of the new power station. But because it is under 15 metres high it didn't need planning permission either. In the end only the government's Industrial Pollution Inspectorate may have powers to regulate the new development. The inspectorate is already subject to calls for a Parliamentary Ombudsman's inquiry for allegedly failing to do its job.