A new power station could be built at Shoreham Port.

Energy management firm MITIE is planning to take over a site at the harbour as part of the port’s masterplan.

The company then hopes to be able to install wind turbines on the south side of the port along Basin Road South and solar panels on warehouse roofs to produce enough power to sustain industry at the port and homes and business in Shoreham, Portslade and Southwick.

A spokeswoman for the port said: “The port has considerable advantages due to its scale and location for developing renewable energy projects.

“As well as the potential for solar energy using the warehouse roofs there is also, at a later stage, the possibility of wind turbines on the south side of the port along Basin Road South.

“This will be further investigated to see how practical this is and the opinions of the local community will be sought before any decisions are made on the wind turbines.

"Other forms of energy generation might also be explored at a later date.”

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin welcomed plans for a sustainable port able to produce its own power, but said he would have reservations about wind turbines, after previous plans for turbines at the port met local opposition in the past.

Coun Parkin said: “I would have reservations about the addition of wind turbines and concerns about the potential noise they create.

“They tried to put in turbines 15 years ago but it didn’t go ahead because there was such strong local opposition.

"I will be reserving judgement until we know exactly what the plans are.

“In principle I am all for the port generating its own and have no problem with solar panels.

" There is a lot of roof space at the port so it would seem foolish not to.”

Peter Davies, the development director at Shoreham Port said “We are very excited at the prospect of seeing the port becoming a major site for renewable energy.”

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