Severnside energy recovery centre
SITA UK is a major provider of recycling and waste services in the South Gloucestershire and Bristol areas. In addition to services to local residents, we also work with commercial businesses from across the region to collect and recycle their waste.
Wherever we work we aim to first reduce the waste created, then reuse and recycle wherever possible. However, with over 800,000 tonnes of industrial and commercial waste being generated each year in the former Avon Council area, there remains a significant quantity of residual commercial waste that is not recycled and has traditionally been sent to landfill.
Landfill space is becoming increasingly scarce and, with landfill tax continuing to rise, SITA UK recognises that there is increasing need to look for alternatives – especially those which can turn residual waste into a valuable resource.
Energy recovery centres can play an important role when it comes to disposing of residual waste by using as fuel that which is left over after recycling, burning it under controlled conditions to generate an important source of energy (as electricity and heat) and significantly reducing the amount of waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill.
The Severnside Energy Recovery Centre
Following a thorough investigation of potential locations, SITA UK identified a brownfield site adjacent to Seabank Power Station and the former Terra Nitrogen plant at Severnside, in South Gloucestershire, as a possible location for the development of an energy recovery centre.
Delivery of the proposed Severnside Energy Recovery Centre would make a significant contribution to providing new treatment and recovery facilities to manage commercial and industrial waste from the former Avon County Council region.
Anticipated as being capable of processing up to 400,000 tonnes of non-recycled waste, the facility would have capacity to generate up to 32 megawatts of electricity – enough to power approximately of 50,000 homes, equivalent to half the homes in South Gloucestershire. As well as producing renewable energy, consent to build the Severnside Energy Recovery Centre would also help boost the local economy by creating around 200 jobs during the construction phase and at least 46 full time jobs once the facility is in operation.
The planning application
Before finalising the planning application for the Severnside Energy Recovery Centre, SITA UK delivered a wide-ranging consultation programme, including a public exhibition which was attended by over 140 people, many of whom took the opportunity to talk directly with members of SITA UK’s planning team and ask specific questions.
The consultation process enabled SITA UK to identify several points of local interest, namely traffic, design of the building, and emissions associated with an energy recovery centre. All the feedback received was thoroughly reviewed and, where possible, constructive comments, along with advice from organisations including the Highways and Environment agencies, were taken on board to help shape the final planning application.
SITA UK submitted this planning application to South Gloucestershire Council in November 2009 and it was refused by the Council’s Development Control West Committee in June 2010. SITA UK subsequently appealed the decision and a public inquiry was held in Alveston which concluded in May 2011. The Planning Inspector, who heard evidence from both parties, subsequently submitted a recommendation to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State upheld the appeal on 16 September 2011. With that approval in place, SITA UK is now progressing with its plans to build and operate the Severnside Energy Recovery Centre, which has already been granted an Environmental Permit following scrutiny from the Environment Agency.
