And, at the same time, speculation was mounting in Norfolk over the new location of a proposed EfW plant Waste Recycling Group (WRG) is hoping to build in the Norwich area.
The Saltend proposal needed the approval of both Hull city council and East Riding council because it sits on the border between the two. East Riding gave its consent for the plans, last month.
Today, WRG said the victory did not make them feel any more confident about their proposals for a Norwich EfW. That plant was originally planned to be at Longwater, Costessey but fell through because the company was unable to secure the land needed. Subsequently WRG was dropped as preferred bidder for a waste contract for the county although it remains in contention.
” We have received updated bids from two firms “
– Joel Hull, project manager, Norfolk county council
Now WRG has now submitted its plans for an alternative site in Norwich, with local newspapers suggesting this will be at Whitlingham Lane, Trowse. Other sites rumoured to be possibilities are another Longwater location or the Utilities Site, which is the home of the former Norwich Power Station.
The company's determination to press ahead with an EfW plant in Norwich is seen locally as partly reflecting its historical connections with the area as well as pressure from parent firm Spain's FCC to make sure that it does not lose out on potential UK work.
Permit
For the Hull plant, WRG still needs to be granted a permit by the Environment Agency to operate a facility. If this is given, construction is expected to begin later this year for it to open in 2010. General manager of external affairs for WRG, Mike Snell, explained: “There's no reason to believe the application won't go through. The Agency hasn't given any objections to the planning application itself, but you can't take anything for granted.”
Asked if the news had given WRG confidence in its Norwich bid, Mr Snell said: “No, all applications are very different. We're not preferred bidder for Norwich and there's no planning bid in.”
WRG is competing with another firm, SRM, who want build a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant to treat waste in Norwich, (see letsrecycle.com story)
A project board is expected to announce which of the two bids should be given the go-ahead, at the end of January. County councillors will then make a final decision in March.
Joel Hull, project manager for residual waste treatment projects at Norfolk county council, confirmed: “We have received updated bids from two firms, using two different kinds of technology at two separate locations, and it is impossible to say at this stage which one will be taken forward as the right solution for Norfolk.”
Terrible
Campaigners opposed to plans for a Norwich EfW will hold a public waste debate on January 29. Rob Whittle a member of Norwich's anti-incineration group Nail2, said: “A new WRG incinerator would be terrible news for Norwich residents. This Whittingham Lane location is actually an equally bad location as Costessey for many reasons.”
WRG has had a contract with both Norfolk county and East Riding Councils since 1998 and operates household waste recycling centres and a materials recycling facility in the area.
The company has also put in a planning application for a composting facility in Gallymoor, East Riding. “This is all part of an integrated approach for the area,” said Mr Snell.
Register for free to comment