RECAP News
27/11/2009 - Peterborough Energy-From-Waste Plans Approved
Plans for a 65,000-tonne energy-from-waste facility that will generate heat and power from domestic refuse were approved, subject to conditions, by Peterborough City Council’s planning and environmental protection committee on Tuesday 24 November 2009. Go
The proposed facility – to be built on the site of Peterborough’s existing materials recycling facility in Fourth Drove in the Eastern Industry area of Peterborough, is part of a long-term waste management solution that minimises reliance on diminishing landfill space. The planning permission acknowledges that the facility will have spare capacity in the early years of operation and stipulates that at least 75 per cent of the waste comes from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and a 50-kilometre radius of the facility. Under a policy adopted in February 2007, the city council aims to raise recycling and composting of household and garden materials to over 65 per cent by 2020 and to use residual, non-recycled waste as fuel to generate energy. The city council has already applied to the Environment Agency for an environment permit, which is needed before the facility can begin operating.
Meanwhile, officers are evaluating the credentials of companies that have expressed interest in building and operating the energy-from-waste facility. A shortlist of potential firms will be drawn up and detailed negotiations will lead to the selection of a preferred contractor. The new facility could begin operating in early 2014.
A report to the planning committee said the proposed steel-framed ‘landmark’ building would be clad with grey and brown metal sheeting with translucent panels at the front. It would measure 96-metres by 37-metres and 35-metres high with 60-metre chimney. While the facility would operate 24/7 it would be restricted to taking waste deliveries from 6 am to 8 pm on Mondays to Saturdays and from 8 am to 4 pm on Sundays. It would be capable of generating 34,000 MWh/year of electricity, of which 28,000 MWh/year would be available for export to the national grid, and 127,000 MWh/year of heat with 102,000 MWh/year available for export to nearby businesses. It would produce around 13,000 tonnes annually of ‘bottom ash’ that could be used as secondary aggregate or landfilled. A flue treatment system would neutralise the acidity and remove around 3,000 tonnes annually of fly ash that could be used in chemical neutralisation processes or landfilled. A wide range of organisations representing health, environment, transport, wildlife and other development interests were consulted and over 5,000 neighbouring occupiers were invited to comment on the proposals. There were 30 letters of objection and 17 letters of support. The report said that concerns over odour, dust, noise and litter would be satisfied because the building would be enclosed and the combustion process would draw air into the building. Important archaeological remains at the nearby Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre will be protected under a planning condition requiring a legal agreement for monitoring groundwater conditions. Water levels must be monitored for at least six months prior to construction and for at least five years following commencement of operations.
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