04 MARCH 2008 - RESIDENTS SUPPORT PRINCIPLE OF ENERGY-FROM-WASTE PROPOSAL

THE process of burning non-recyclable waste to generate electricity wins far greater support from Middlewich residents than landfilling, according to Covanta’s recent survey of local views.

 

Covanta is proposing to build an Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facility on the Midpoint 18 business park to deal with household waste from Cheshire that cannot be recycled or composted.

 

A questionnaire distributed to almost 300 residents visiting the public exhibitions last month (Feb 21-23) secured 159 responses:

 

·       62% favoured Energy-from-Waste over landfill (8%) and other methods of waste disposal (10%)

·       68% of respondents felt positive towards EfW, while 14% felt negative

 

On the choice of location for the proposed plant, 48% of respondents were either neutral or positive, while an equal number, 48%, were negative.

 

Managing Director Malcolm Chilton said the potential for traffic congestion had been a significant issue for visitors who nonetheless supported EfW and understood why the site had been selected. 

 

He emphasised that a traffic study was currently being carried out and, when the results were finalised, Covanta would be in a position to address the issue more thoroughly. 

 

“We were very pleased that so many residents understood the need for such a facility, and that this would be a better solution for the environment than landfill. There are many steps we could take if it transpires that the plant is likely to affect peak-time traffic, but first we need to look carefully at the findings of the traffic study.”

 

Newsletters were sent to 5,800 homes and businesses in the town, and adverts placed in the local newspapers, inviting residents to call in at the exhibitions, which were held in Middlewich Community Church, Brooks Lane.

 

He also added that the curved design had been the favourite architectural option, and would be incorporated into the plans.

 

The plant is sized to handle all Cheshire’s non-recyclable household waste and generate 38MW of power. Low-cost electricity will be offered to around 20,000 local homes, and Covanta is investigating the feasibility of offering heat and power at a discounted rate to neighbouring businesses.

 

Covanta will now finalise the planning application for submission to Cheshire County Council, anticipated to be in Spring this year.

 

 

Government and EU legislation requires a 65% reduction in the amount of UK biodegradable household waste sent to landfill by 2020 from the 1995 levels.

 

Failure to dramatically reduce our dependence on landfill will result in heavy financial penalties, totalling millions of pounds, which could lead to an increase in council taxes. 

 

Thermal treatment of waste is supported by the UK Government legislation, Regional Waste Strategy for the North West (RWS) and the Cheshire Waste Local Plan.