Protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions and ensuring zero waste to landfill are all central to a green recovery as we emerge from COVID-19. To support this climate-friendly strategy, Veolia has submitted its planning application for an Advanced Energy Recovery Facility near Alton, which will save 65,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year compared with sending the waste to landfill. This is part of an overall strategy in the area to recycle more and recover more energy from waste.
This planning application is for a state of the art advanced technology which will utilise non-recyclable ‘residual’ waste to produce power for the National Grid. The facility will provide enough electricity for 75,000 Hampshire homes, and create over 300 jobs during construction, plus 40 permanent roles once operational. Continuously monitored by the Environment Agency, the 30 Megawatt plant is sized for residual Hampshire waste that is currently landfilled in the county, or exported elsewhere.
Submission of this application follows a period of extensive pre-application public consultation, which was undertaken between February and March 2020, before the current social distancing measures were introduced. During the course of the consultation, five public exhibitions were held across Alton, Holybourne, Bentley, Froyle and Binsted which were attended by nearly 600 local people. Veolia has listened carefully to the feedback and concerns and has provided a full response to the questions submitted within the Statement of Community Involvement submitted alongside the planning application. Several changes have been made to the architecture taking into account local views on the appearance of the facility.
Commenting on the application, Richard Kirkman, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Veolia UK and Ireland, said: "This facility will allow Hampshire to lead the way in waste management, saving 65,000 tonnes of carbon emissions compared to landfill and delivering a 30% increase in energy efficiency. In terms of a green recovery, this represents an important investment in new clean infrastructure that will contribute towards reaching the carbon net-zero target as well as providing new construction jobs and permanent local employment.”
With the Alton and Portsmouth materials recycling facilities being considered for replacement, a new combined recycling facility is also being planned. A new hi-tech recycling plant would provide improved recycling allowing Hampshire residents to recycle plastic pots, tubs and trays.