In waste and recycling circles the decision over Belvedere is seen as having massive implications for London and will also have a big impact on thinking in the rest of the UK.
letsrecycle.com understands that the Planning Inspector has recommended that the Riverside Resource Recovery Ltd plant be given the green-light. The development is integrated with Cory Environmental's 30 year contract with the Western Riverside Waste Authority.
However, the Secretary of State is believed to have “not reached a decision” and instead invited parties who gave evidence at the enquiry “to make representations on the possible implications of recent government consultation papers and the government plan which was produced since the enquiry plan.”
David Riddle, Chief Executive, Cory Environmental, said:
“Cory welcomes the view of the Inspector and reiterates his view that the level of need for additional waste management facilities in the London region to be such as to require an urgent decision now on the contribution made by energy from waste in the form of the present project.”
Authorised
According to RRR, over the 30-year life of the 72MW plant, an average of 585,000 tonnes of waste will be processed a year, although the maximum capacity will be 835,000 tonnes. The plant will be used to generate enough energy to supply the electricity requirements of over 66,000 homes.
The proposed facility has already been authorised for operation by the Environment Agency with an Integrated Pollution Control permit, and RRR has said it is currently updating this authorisation with an application for a Pollution Prevention Control permit.
Malcolm Chilton, spokesman for RRRL, said:
“We are very pleased that the Inspector has recommended that the Riverside Resource Recovery project be given the green light. His decision is a clear endorsement that incineration with energy recovery does have a legitimate role to play in waste solutions where waste reduction and recycling are maximised.
“The Public Inquiry was an extremely thorough and in depth examination of all the issues surrounding London’s sustainable waste management of which the Inspector believes RRR can be part of the long-term solution.
Disappointing
“Given the Inspector’s positive recommendation, it is disappointing that the Secretary of State has not come to a decision but has instead invited parties who gave evidence at the Inquiry to make representations on the possible implications of recent Government consultation papers and the London Plan, which have been produced since the Inquiry closed. Nevertheless, when considering the project in the context of all the relevant policy considerations, we remain confident that the project will be approved.”
The Belvedere plant will form a major component of Cory Environmental's 30-year waste contract with the Western Riverside Waste Authority, which includes the London boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, Kensington and Chelsea, and Wandsworth. The waste from Cory would be residual municipal waste – the material left over after recycling has been carried out.
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