|
15 June 2006 - A controversial new energy from waste development in Greater London was given the go-ahead by the UK Government today. This decision will allow Riverside Resource Recovery to proceed with an energy from waste power station with a capacity of 72 MW in South East London.
In a statement, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said that the decision to approve the plant was taken after careful consideration of the recommendations from the Public Inquiry Inspector who oversaw two public inquiries that looked into this application in 2003 and 2005. "Today's approval takes into account the concerns raised, and includes a number of conditions recommended by the inquiry Inspector to mitigate any impacts," said Wicks.
"This energy from waste station will be fuelled by waste which would otherwise have to go to landfill. London has a serious waste problem much of which it currently exports to landfill in the Home Counties. This decision will make an important contribution to tackling London's waste problem.
The facility will process mainly residual municipal solid waste (after recycling) from central London Boroughs and a smaller proportion of waste could be taken from commercial and industrial premises. The majority of the waste (about 85 per cent) will be transported to the RRR facility in sealed containers carried by barge on the River Thames. Cory runs the largest barge operation on the Thames, and using the river for the transportation of waste to the RRR facility will remove approximately 83 000 lorry movements a year from London's roads (some 290 lorries per working day). River transportation minimises greenhouse gas emissions, reduces pollution and traffic congestion and is the most sustainable long-term option for the transportation of waste.
The proposal to build an energy from waste station at this location has been around in one form or another since 1990. The first application was refused after a public inquiry in 1992. A second application was withdrawn before that application could go to inquiry. The third and current application went to public inquiry held between 1 July and 3 October 2003 and recommended approval.
Some environmentalists had opposed the proposed plant. Karen Rogers, Waste Campaigner at Hammersmith and Fulham Friends of the Earth said: "The Bexley Community are fighting vigorously to prevent this incinerator being built to burn our waste. They are deeply worried about the potential impacts on their health and recognize that burning our waste is harmful to the environment. The Government must get to grips with this problem by calling a halt to new incinerators, reducing waste and dramatically improving our record on recycling."
| 
Articles 
| View all PennWell sites | View all PennWell events
Add RSS Feed
