The 210,000 tonne-a-year facility was initially granted planning permission in February 2007, with East Sussex county councillors concluding that the plant was “acceptable in planning terms” (see letsrecycle.com story).
However, members of the county councils' planning committee had to reconsider the proposals after the government introduced new Development Plans and planning policies in September.
Last week (Wednesday, November 7), the council announced it would still be approving the plans subject to a legal agreement with the applicant – the council's waste contractor Veolia Environmental Services.
The company will also have to satisfy conditions relating to the impact of dust, noise and construction on local residents.
A council spokesperson said: “East Sussex county council's planning committee gave conditional planning permission for an Energy from Waste facility in Newhaven.
“A legal agreement on lorry routeing, compensatory off-site planting and landscaping, and a financial contribution towards site monitoring will need to be secured before full planning permission is granted,” they added.
Veolia welcomed the approval as testimony to the importance of the plant – which is expected to produce 16 MW of electricity, enough power for 16,500 homes.
Chris Maltbaek, managing director of Veolia South Downs, said of the decision: “The approval of planning for a second time recognises that this facility is a crucial part of the strategy to recover value from waste, and reduce the amount going to landfill. Waste is an incredibly valuable resource and energy recovery facilities have a critical role to play, together with recycling and composting.”
Land
Despite this decision, however, uncertainty still remains over whether East Sussex will be able to secure the land on which to build the facility. The council revealed that the Secretary of State has decided to launch a local public inquiry over whether it should approve a Compulsory Purchase Order, following failed negotiation with the current owner.
This decision could delay construction of the site further – which is intended to be up and running by 2011.
A spokesperson for East Sussex said: “In July 2006, we made a decision to submit a CPO to the Secretary of State, while continuing to negotiate with the land owner. Agreement was not reached and the order was submitted in February 2007. The Secretary of State has now decided a Public Inquiry is needed, before reaching a decision.”
The ten-day Public Inquiry opened yesterday on November 12 2007, at the White Hart Hotel, Lewes.
The energy recovery plant will form the backbone of Veolia's £1 billion, 25-year waste disposal contract with East Sussex county council and Brighton & Hove city council and is one of ten new facilities currently being planned (see letsrecycle.com story) .
Subscribe for free