Work on Viridors 350,000 tonnes-per-year capacity energy-from-waste (EfW) plant at Trident Park in Wales will continue after a campaign groups challenge against the facility was dismissed today (March 27) at Swansea Crown Court.
The Cardiff Against the Incinerator (CATI) group had tried to halt work which started on building the incinerator in 2012 by launching legal action claiming that Cardiff council effectively condoned premature work on the project, short-circuiting environmental checks and public consultation (see letsrecycle.com story).
But the Judge today ruled in favour of Cardiff council, although CATI spearheaded by resident Pauline Ellaway said it was disappointed with the decision and plans to launch an appeal, claiming that important points are overlooked in the judgement.
CATI said: That companies could build without planning permission and the public authorities could delay any action to stop the unlawful construction for over six months would be a big hole in planning law if allowed to stand.
Under a 25-year deal agreed between Viridor and the Prosiect Gwyrrd group of Welsh councils in December 2013, the EfW plant will process 172,000 tonnes per year of household waste from Newport, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire and Vale of Glamorgan councils (see letsrecycle.com story).
The remained of the facilitys 350,000 tonnes per year capacity will be serviced by merchant waste, producing 28 megawatts of electricity enough to power 50,000 homes.
Viridor
‘We have always been fully confident in the planning position and consent for this facility and felt strongly that bringing this to court was not the best use of taxpayers money and resources.’
Dan Cooke, director of external affairs at Viridor
Dan Cooke, director of external affairs at Viridor, said he was pleased with the Judges decision and that the company would now focus on completing construction of the facility which is generating jobs and investment in Cardiff and the wider region.
He said: We have always been fully confident in the planning position and consent for this facility and felt strongly that bringing this to court was not the best use of taxpayers money and resources.
According to Mr Cooke, latest statistics show that 565 operatives have been employed on the site each month, while the plant will create 35 permanent jobs once complete.
He added: In addition, 17.5m has been placed with local companies for materials, plant hire and sub contracted work and the local economy has benefited from an estimated additional 2m to-date.
In March 2013, the company announced that it was also working on developing a renewable energy district heating scheme as part of the Trident Park facility in partnership with energy firm E.ON and Cardiff council (see letsrecycle.com story).
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