A new emergency power station could be created in Bolton.

Plans have been submitted to build an emergency power generator on a former football pitch in Westhoughton.

Electric Land has asked the council for permission to build the battery energy storage system on Slack Lane, to the north of Manchester Road.

The battery system ensures the supply of electricity at the point of demand so there is no waste and developers claim this will help the environment.

A statement from Electric Land said: “There is a national and local need for this type of development to support the transition to a low carbon economy.

“The proposed development will be positioned on land which is currently vacant land adjacent to an allocated industrial estate.

“The proposed development will be seen within the context of this and other existing and future neighbouring industrial developments.”

This will ultimately reduce Bolton’s carbon footprint, according to the application, as it will create renewable energy which can quickly adapt to future energy changes.

If permission is granted, Electric Land say this will provide emergency electricity for the National Grid in times of high electricity demand or when renewable energy projects are unable to fulfil demand.

It will be constructed in two phases over a 12-month period, if approved.

The proposed site will include an amenity cabin, a switch room, a DNO substation and a fire hydrant.

Developers have also been conducting safety, environmental and noise impact tests.

Residents will have the opportunity to give their views on the proposed site via a consultation open to people living nearby on Manchester Road, Glazebury Drive, Ingleby Close and Albion Street.

The site will not be in continuous use but used when the demand is high, helping the National Grid as well as preventing blackouts in the future.

Research from developers shows the site was used as a football pitch until the early 2000s.

There was also a former railway goods yard serving both the bone works to the south and the Starkie Pit coal mine to the north east.

The yard is now partly an electricity substation with the remainder and the former bone works is now an industrial estate used for haulage and building suppliers.

The plans will now go to the council for consideration.