Planned Staffordshire power station to be fully operational by 2020

It comes as the proposals for the facility in Meaford near Stone have now been officially lodged by the applicant.

If approved, Meaford Energy Centre (MEC) would be built at Meaford Business Park, creating a £300 million boost to the economy and more than 800 construction jobs.

Following a public consultation last summer, the proposals have now been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate for initial review and construction work could be underway by 2017.

The applicant Meaford Energy Limited want to construct a cycle gas turbine station on the 85-acre site of the former coal-fired Meaford power station, which was decommissioned in 1991 and demolished in 1996.

Bosses say the development will create 30 'highly skilled' permanent local jobs and up to 800 construction jobs over three years.

It is a joint venture between Glenfinnan and the owners of the Meaford Business Park, St Modwen.

The application will be reviewed in the next four weeks and if accepted it will then be examined, which is expected to take another 15 months.

The Government will make a final decision on the proposals at the end of next year.

Rupert Wood, director of Meaford Energy Limited, said: "We are very pleased that we have reached this important milestone in the consenting process to deliver the Meaford Energy Centre.

"This is a key proposal to deliver electrical generation where it is needed as older, outdated power stations continue to close.

"The Meaford Energy Centre will help meet the UK's energy needs and just as importantly unlock the development of the Meaford Business Park."

Mr Wood paid thanks to more than 100 members of the public who took part in a month long public consultation last year.

He added: "The feedback we received during the statutory consultation process was reviewed by the project team and taken into consideration to refine the design.

"MEL would like to thank all those who participated."

The company also say the scheme will deliver the catalyst to progress the development of Meaford Business Park, creating further jobs in the area.

The station will use gas and steam to produce electricity and bosses claim it will also reduce the area's reliance on imported electricity and improve its energy security.