In a meeting of its strategic planning committee yesterday (20 April), the council adjourned its decision until July, on the grounds that it was awaiting the outcome of the “government’s consultation on the review of National Energy Policy Statements”.
And, the chair of the committee said “it has become abundantly clear that we have insufficient information to do any differently”.
‘Information’
Northacre Renewable Energy Limited is a joint venture between the Bioenergy Infrastructure Group and The Hills Group.
It was originally granted planning permission from Wiltshire council in 2015 for an advanced thermal treatment facility using gasification technology.
After applying to move to moving grate combustion, plans were turned down in 2018 (see letsrecycle.com story), before being accepted last year.
After approving the plant, the council decided to again review the decision to see if any legislative changes in the past year would have changed this decision.
The report which went before the committee yesterday had recommended the council approve the plant on the basis there have been no changes that should lead the committee to conclude differently in its assessment of the application.
I’ve seen information this time which I didn’t see last June
- Cllr Howard Greenman, Wiltshire council
However, Cllr Howard Greenman, who chaired the meeting, added that he chose to defer because “it has become abundantly clear that we have insufficient information to do any differently”.
He said: “I’ve seen information this time which I didn’t see last June, and which have been for me more mature considerations. One thing is clear – there is a consultation under way now that in all probability will be a game changer.
“I don’t think it is responsible to make a decision without waiting for the result of that consultation,” Cllr Greenman added.
The council heard opposition from anti-incineration group UKWIN and Arla, which has a dairy farm nearby and raised concerns about emissions.
‘Regret’
Northacre Renewable Energy has expressed regret that its proposal to change the technology for the already-permitted EfW facility at Northacre Industrial Park has been deferred by the council.
Alex Young, director of Northacre Renewable Energy, commented: “In light of no new material considerations since the original decision, we regret that it has not been possible to reach a decision today, but remain keen to support the planning process. The company will now be taking time to consider any next steps.”
Application
The plans to move away from gasification to “a conventional moving grate combustion process” date back to 2019. The company then said that the decision was “primarily due to supply chain uncertainty caused by Brexit” (see letsrecycle.com story).
The council resolved to approve the application last June. The application took another step forward on 31 March when the council was notified that the secretary of state was declined to call it in, suggesting “it was the local planning authority’s responsibility” (see letsrecycle.com story).
The Environment Agency’s consultation on an environmental permit for the plant, which it sad it is “minded to accept”, closes tomorrow (22 April).
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