Luton latest to withdraw from BEaR Project

The move follows Bedford borough council also leaving the partnership in September due to rising costs (see letsrecycle.com story).

Councillor Tricia Turner, leader of Central Bedfordshire council, said: “I am disappointed to hear of Luton borough council's executive committee's decision to withdraw from the BEaR project, which has been working to deliver a sustainable waste disposal solution for Bedfordshire residents for some time.

“Since joining the BEaR Project last year, Luton borough council has worked closely with us to explore alternative ways to landfilling, which will not only help the environment, but also help to save local taxpayers money,” she added.

Funding

The BEaR project was denied PFI funding in March over concerns about its reference site and, despite now securing one, has since been subjected to concerns over a possible conflict of interest because the land was bought off a potential contender for the contract (see letsrecycle.com story).

However, Central Bedfordshire has vowed to push on in its attempt to gain £78 million in government-funding for the project. It approved its Outline Business Case for the bid at an executive meeting last week (December 8) which was submitted to Defra by the December 11 deadline for the fourth round of government funding.

Luton did not ratify the submission of the Business Case but if it chooses to do so in the coming weeks then it will still be eligible for a share of the Defra funding should the bid succeed.

However, an industry expert claimed that the project was unlikely to receive funding now with only one council left.

And, he added that Central Bedfordshire may now be dependent on the development of a large-scale energy-from-waste facility at Rookery Pit by American firm Covanta Energy to manage its residual waste.

He told letsrecycle.com: “The BEaR Project now finds itself four years down the line with nothing to show except a bill for consultants and staff in excess of £1million. This is quite possibly a contender for the worst UK PFI project award.”