RESIDENTS who failed in their fight against a power storage facility near their homes now face a fresh battle as an energy firm announced plans for two gas power stations in the countryside.

And Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham last night expressed anger over the plans from Statera Energies to build the two gas-fired power stations close to Thorpe Thewles.

The plans will be shown to residents during a public exhibition at the parish hall in Thorpe Thewles, near Stockton, on Tuesday.

Previously-approved plans for a battery-based electricity storage facility will be scrapped in favour of a gas-fired station – and the construction of a second facility nearby.

Residents who objected to the original plans back in 2016 had both road congestion and environmental concerns – but also said they feared the facility would be converted to a gas-powered one.

Mr Cunningham said the plans had not yet even been discussed with the planning authority, Stockton Borough Council, and that the first officers knew about it was when they learned about the exhibition.

He said: “Residents of Thorpe Thewles will be rightfully worried about this proposal.

"Not only are their fears that the battery-powered facility would be converted into a gas-powered one being proven correct, but now they are being told that two facilities could be built instead of one.

“This is a typical strategy for some companies – they get permission for one thing and then change their minds for a most substantial development – in this case two.

"I would urge constituents in that area to attend the public exhibition at Grindon Parish Hall on Tuesday June 26, find out the truth and make sure their voices are heard at this event.

“That Statera Energy has yet to consult or even discuss plans with Stockton Borough Council, is also concerning. The local authority should not be bypassed on matters such as these, and I hope Statera Energy will engage with Stockton Council soon.”

A Statera Energies spokeswoman said: "The requirement for deployment of battery storage on the network in the short to medium term unexpectedly fell away in mid-2017.

"There remains a pressing need to deploy fast start flexible gas generation to balance out renewables on the system particularly during periods of high consumer demand.

"The location has both a viable gas supply and electrical capacity and is a rare example of a site that can work.

"Thorpe Thewles village understandably were worried about construction traffic through the village for the battery scheme so we have negotiated an access direct from the A177 so construction traffic can avoid the village altogether. "Once the plant is operational there is little or no traffic generated.

"The footprint of each gas plant is smaller than the consented battery scheme, noise footprint will be similar and air emissions controlled by the environment agency through a permitting process."

*The public exhibition is held on Tuesday June 26, at Grindon Parish Hall, Durham Road, Thorpe Thewles, TS21 2JU, between 5pm and 8pm.