SITA submits plans for Gloucestershire EfW

The Severnside ERC would see the redevelopment of an eight hectare brownfield site at Severnside, about five miles north of Avonmouth, including access to rail which could enable the transportation of waste to and from the site by rail, reducing HGV movements.

SITA UK first unveiled plans to build the facility in June 2009, announcing it would hold five public events to allow local residents to comment on the proposals (see this letsrecycle.com story).

The proposed facility – which could process up to 400,000 tonnes of non-recycled commercial and industrial waste per year – is expected to have a total generating capacity of up to 32MW and generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes.

SITA claims that the application – made to South Gloucestershire council – has been made following months of extensive investigative work and considerable consultation, with all feedback being taken into consideration. Further exhibitions are taking place this week to keep members of the public fully informed about the final application.

Gareth Philips, planning and property manager at SITA UK, said: “We have spent a lot of time speaking to people about this application, from technical experts to local residents, and the application we have now submitted reflects this.

“The response has been generally very positive and local feedback has helped develop what we appreciate are sensitive proposals. We are pleased to have submitted the application and hope local people take the opportunity to see what our final plans look like this week at our exhibitions.”

Commercial 

It is currently anticipated that the proposed facility would process up to 400,000 tonnes of non-recycled commercial and industrial waste. However, SITA claims that there may be capacity in the future to help manage domestic waste, if there is a requirement from local authorities.

Gareth Philips added: “The Severnside ERC would help local businesses by providing a productive alternative to landfill and relieving a multi-million pound landfill tax burden.

“With an ERC in place, non-recycled waste would become a valuable resource, being used to generate a secure and affordable source of power and helping to fill the significant energy gap that the UK faces. Energy recovery will also play an important role in waste management, disposing of non-recycled material in a safe and clean way, and providing an alternative to increasingly scarce landfill.”