NEW plans to generate hydroelectric power on the Mersey at Woolston Weir have been revealed.

London-based H20 Power Generation is seeking planning permission to construct three Archimedes screw turbines in the river dam, which is located north of Woolston Eyes.

The scheme would generate enough power for around 480 homes, saving 730 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Generator and substation buildings would be constructed on the weir, built in 1994 to replace the original created in the 1890s, if proposals are approved by Warrington Borough Council.

Expected to be in use for at least 40 years, the hydropower plant plans would also see a new multi-species fish pass replace the existing one.

Additional passes for eels and lampreys would be provided along the river bank.

The developer is also ‘open’ to creating information boards with details of the history of the area for visitors.

Documents submitted as part of the planning application state: “The proposed hydroelectric turbine on the Mersey at Woolston Weir complies with, and is supportive of, local and national strategies for renewable energy.

“The scheme has been sensitively designed to minimise the impact on the surrounding area and will generate enough power for around 480 homes, while saving 730 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

“With the addition of an improved fish pass, the opportunity for fish migration will greatly improve and enable coarse fish to migrate upstream.”

Peel Group was previously granted planning permission for a similar scheme in 2014.

The project was anticipated to have been completed by the end of 2015, but construction work never began and planning permission for the development expired in 2016.