The interim contract covers the landfilling of up to 68,000 tonnes of municipal waste a year for up to five years starting April 1, 2004.
The council's proposed contract with HLC covers the treatment and disposal of 120,000 tonnes of municipal waste a year. However, the Portuguese-owned waste management company's proposed resource and recovery centre has been delayed by local opposition and, most recently, the sale of the proposed site (see letsrecycle.com story).
The county borough council told letsrecycle: “The contract is needed to continue the existing provision of landfill provision for the council up to the time the proposed HLC contract commences.”
The council explained that the new contract's duration, and therefore value, depends on HLC's progression with its plans. “The contract period of five years can be curtailed after the second year if the proposed HLC contract commences,” it said.
Delay
The resource and recovery centre for Wrexham planned by HLC is estimated to be worth 20 million and includes a 48,000 tonne capacity energy-from-waste plant. In August 2003, the site HLC had put forward in its planning application was sold to a third party, which did not want a waste management facility.
Judith Harper, project development manager for HLC, confirmed the company is still looking for a new location for the facility. “We have some other sites we are pursuing at the moment and we are looking to secure an option on an alternate site. When we do we will be submitting a planning application for that site,” she said.
Ms Harper added that HLC hopes to have all the planning permits in place for a new site by later next year, before the conclusion of the contract with the council. She estimated that the facility would take about 18 months from this time for construction and commissioning before becoming fully operational.
In the meantime, the Welsh council is continuing its plans to increase its recycling rate and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. The statement said: “The capacity requirement of 68,000 tonnes refers to likely requirement based upon existing recycling provision. The council is actively promoting and extending its existing recycling facilities, including kerbside collection. This provision is reflected in the contract specification together with its likely reduction in landfill.”
Register for free to comment