Power Station

Where do you begin with the story of the power station? Construction of the power station began in 1970 and cost taxpayers an estimated £200 million. The station consists of two generating units and was designed to produce 1900 mega-watts of electricity. It is visible for miles around courtesy of its huge 700ft chimney and was also Scotland's first oil-fired power station. Before it opened however oil prices soared making it unproductive.

That may change however. A few years ago, the Community Council wrote to the head of Inverclyde Council Planning Service requesting that the long awaited revised Local Plan explicitly address the question of Inverkip Power Station. The power station was added to the agenda. Read the full story here.

wemyssbay.net ran an online poll to gauge public opinion on what they think should be done with the power station. 76 votes were cast before the poll closed on 9th November, 2001. The results were as follows:

41 votes (54%) - Return to nature with parks, trees and walks
14 votes (18%) - Leisure and sporting facilities
7 votes (9%) - New school for both Wemyss Bay and Inverkip
6 votes (8%) - New housing development
6 votes (8%) - Other:
2 votes (3%) - Business park

Over half of those who voted would like to see the area returned to nature, while the second most popular idea was the option for leisure and sporting facilities with 18%. Perhaps surprisingly, the idea of a business park attracted only 3% (just 2 votes)!

A number of other interesting suggestions were also made for the power station. One person wanted to blow it up while another wanted to see a skate park. A hotel and leisure complex was suggested as well as the old favourite of a revolving restaurant on top. A suggestion for a nuclear power site was even made. I'm sure that would be popular with the locals! Finally, two people were in favour of keeping it as it is.