The Scottish Government's in hot water over plans for a new Hunterston coal-fired power station.

Campaigners have launched a legal challenge against it.

A group called Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston want a judicial review on the way planning permission was granted for the West Kilbride station.

Many who live nearby said there was no chance to give feedback, because the project was added late to the government's National Planning Framework, months after the main consultation ended.

They claim that that breeches European law, and that no alternatives to a coal station were properly investigated.

Largs resident Tim Cowen says it's unacceptable many people like himself had to find out about the plans through the media.

'I thought where has this come from and what's happening and then I did some research and found out about the National Planning Framework. It wasn't easy to find out information and I was horrified on many different levels.

I'm hoping it'll actually in the long run stop the whole proposal going ahead.  It'll force the Scottish Government to have to re-think their priorities and if successful, would remove Hunterston from the National Planning Framework.  At least, it would give us a chance to go through the normal planning process.'

The proposed develop to open after 2016, would burn up to 15 percent biomass as well as coal, and pump emissions underground.

Last month, North Ayrshire Council told us they don't want to be left with a 'polluting' coal-burning plant.

The Authority asked the Scottish Government to clarify the proposed plant.  They was assurances it would be 'carbon capture ready' and written guarantees the clean technology is financially viable and would be used at the site.

ADDED 24/09/09.