A consultation is being held over plans to build a major new power station on the outskirts of King's Lynn which it is feared would have 'a significant change and effect' on the landscape.

EP UK Power Development Ltd already has planning permission for a 1,020-megawatt power station on the Willows Industrial Estate at saddlebow.

Now the company says it wants to build a larger 1,070 MW 'combined cycle' plant which would generate almost twice as much power by taking advantage of new technology.

'The King's Lynn B CCGT Power Station site already has consent granted in 2009 for the construction of a combined cycle gas turbine power station of up to 1,020 MW,' it said revealing details of the consultation.

'Since that consent was granted there have been significant advances in CCGT technology meaning that CCGT units now available on the market are significantly more efficient and able to achieve far greater electrical outputs.

'EPUKPD is therefore proposing to vary the existing power station consent to allow it to deploy the latest generation of CCGT units at the site and construct a power station with an electrical output of up to 1,700MW.'

It adds the scale and structure of the buildings would be 'broadly similar' to those given planning permission in 2009.

But county councillor Alexandra Kemp, who represents South Lynn , said: 'I understand that the Lynn B Power Station, that EP Energy want to build and run at the same time as Centrica A is functioning, would have a 90m high stack and the plant would be 15pc larger than the power station the secretary of state granted permission for in 2009 and represents a significant change and effect on the landscape character of Lynn and on tourism in several counties.'

Miss Kemp has also asked the firm whether it has sought advice from Norfolk fire service over plans for a lithium battery store at the site. The proposed new power station is next to the existing King's Lynn A Power Station, which is being refurbished and is due to come back online next year.

EPUKPD is holding a public consultation on Tuesday, January 23 at South Lynn Community Centre (2 - 8pm). Information boards will be on display and staff will be on hand to answer questions.