A NEW mini-power station, to provide electricity for a new school and leisure centre in Bordon, got the thumbs up from Whitehill town councillors on Monday.

The power station would have a three-metre stainless steel chimney and false windows “to pretty it up”, the meeting heard.

Council clerk Andrea Mann said there would be three boilers to provide power to the school and leisure centre. Developer the Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company was working with a private electricity contractor and the supply will not be fed into the National Grid.

There would be no significant pollution or impact on the air quality around the site, which will have parking, screening, a service area and lighting.

Ms Mann said the station would be used to heat a new pool. Council leader Mark Davison was concerned how the power station would make a profit if it was not used by the local community who might find it cheaper to use the National Grid. “The company needs to make a profit and may not be happy two years down the line if it isn’t used.”

It was such a solid-looking building, Mr Georgii said, “we should pretty it up by adding false windows”. Members agreed not to object to the application and to ask for false windows in the chimney.