Viridor outlines plans for Plymouth EfW

The Taunton-based firm intends to develop the energy-from-waste incinerator on the site of the former New England quarry, which has been identified within the Devon waste plan as a site deemed suitable for a strategic waste management facility.

The plant would have a 275,000 tonnes-a-year capacity and also be home to a bottom ash treatment and recycling facility, which the firm claims would be able to produce around 62,500 tonnes of recycled aggregates annually.

In addition, the waste management firm has not ruled out the possibility of developing a landfill for non-hazardous material at the quarry site.

The proposal is being developed to strengthen Viridor's bid for the South West Devon Waste Partnership's £796 million PFI-funded waste management contract, which it was shortlisted for in May (see letsrecycle.com story). The Partnership consists of Devon county council, Torbay council and Plymouth city council.

Speaking to letsrecycle.com a spokesman for Viridor said that it was developing the proposal “speculatively” with regards to the South West Devon Waste Partnership deal but would consider constructing it even if it was not selected as preferred bidder for the contract.

He said: “We believe that there is a clear need for the proposal and our bid is completely separate, so we believe that there is need regardless of the procurement process.”

The company said it would hope to have a planning application submitted by November and, based on a projection of 12 months to achieve permission, have construction work started in 2011 ahead of a 2013/14 operational date for the energy-from-waste facility. Viridor could not divulge the proposed costs of the project at this stage.

In the past month, Viridor has held three public exhibitions with residents who would live near the proposed plant to discuss any issues surrounding the facility.

Discussions are currently taking place between the Highways Agency and other parties about the potential creation of a slip-road from the A38, which could see traffic – both existing and future – bypass the village of Lee Mill.

Howard Ellard, technical development manager at Viridor, said: “We are aware that traffic is a concern for many people. Working closely with the Highways Agency and others we have been able to identify a potential solution that avoids Lee Mill village altogether and which will potentially lessen the impact on Lee Mill's roads by diverting existing vehicles away from the centre of the village. This could provide a win-win solution for everyone.”