Hundreds of construction jobs coming to Gloucestershire thanks to new power plant

In excess of 400 construction could soon be coming to a part of Gloucestershire, should developers get permission to build a power plant in the area. Plans for a gas-fired facility alongside the existing Seabank Power Station on Hallen Marsh in Severn Beach have been submitted and bosses are now awaiting an outcome. The proposed station would be known as Seabank 3 and would be built on a 50-acre site at Crooks Marsh, reports the South Cotswolds Gazette. About 40 operational roles would be generated by the project should it be given the green light, while a further 400 construction jobs are set to be created over a three-year period. At the peak building time, as many as 800 construction workers are likely to be on site. Such numbers can bring a substantial economic boost to the region, and trigger a significant improvement in employment figures. It may also be a good time for young people in Gloucestershire to think about a career in construction, safe in the knowledge that such opportunities could soon be open to them. SSE owns the current Seabank Power Station and its head of gas developments Alasdair MacSween has been speaking about the need for the new development. "In order to meet the UK's energy needs, gas will continue to play an important role in the UK electricity generation mix. Power produced from natural gas contributes to the objective of reducing CO2 emissions, as generating electricity from gas is more efficient than other fossil fuels such as coal," he said. "We see the Seabank 3 project as being integral in securing cleaner energy supplies for the UK market." Planning officials in the area now have a chance to do their bit for the environment by allowing a further plant to be built and cleaner energy to be generated. They will also be aware of the benefits of such large-scale projects in relation to employment needs at difficult economic times such as these.