Energy-from-waste
Background
SITA Cornwall works in partnership with Cornwall Council to manage more than 320,000 tonnes of household waste produced in the county each year – the aim being to first minimise the amount of waste created, then reuse and recycle wherever possible in order to reduce the amount of residual waste that is sent to landfill.
Despite these efforts, there is still a significant amount of household waste which is not recycled and has traditionally been sent to landfill. However, with landfill tax placing an increasing financial burden on Cornwall’s taxpayers and suitable landfill sites becoming scarce, SITA Cornwall is committed to seeking out innovative solutions for managing the county’s waste – especially those which can turn waste into a valuable resource like heat and power.
The Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre (CERC) would play an important role in disposing of the county’s non-recycled residual waste by burning it under controlled conditions to provide an important source of affordable energy - in the form of electricity and heat. A valuable means of helping the Council avoid high landfill charges, the CERC would also contribute to reducing dependency on using fossil fuels to generate our electricity and help overcome the looming energy gap.
Planning application
If the county is to hit targets to reduce waste going to landfill, new waste infrastructure that puts waste to good use is desperately needed. SITA Cornwall therefore submitted a planning application to Cornwall County Council in April 2008 for the development of the CERC near St Dennis. The facility was proposed as playing a valuable role in treating up to 240,000 tonnes of non-recycled waste each year, putting it to good use to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 21,000 homes as well as heat that could be exported to local businesses.
View a non-technical summary of the planning application.
SITA Cornwall’s planning application for the CERC was refused permission by Cornwall County Council in March 2009. However, as instructed by the Council, SITA Cornwall submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds that a successful appeal would provide the greatest chance of delivering this much needed facility that will provide a long-term solution directly addressing Cornwall’s mounting waste crisis.
Overseeing the appeal, the Planning Inspectorate impartially assess the application against local, regional and national policies, conducting an extensive investigation of the issues surrounding the CERC and coordinating a local Public Inquiry. However, the final decision regarding the CERC is ultimately be made by the Secretary of State – who is guided by the advice of the Planning Inspector.
SITA Cornwall responded to the reasons for refusal given by Cornwall County Council and addressed local concerns that were originally expressed.
Details of the planning appeal process can be found at www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk
Outcome of Appeal
On 20 May 2011, SITA Cornwall received notification from the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles MP, that he had granted planning permission for the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre. The planning permission is subject to a number of conditions that SITA Cornwall has to comply with before the development commences.
The decision came following a recommendation made by the Planning Inspector after consideration of evidence submitted during a planning inquiry that began in March 2010 and ended in October 2010.
Communication
SITA Cornwall remains committed to communicating openly and effectively with local residents and community representatives.
For further background information, please view the CERC briefing document and frequently asked questions.
SITA Cornwall took part in a site liaison group which provided local people with the opportunity to find out more about the CERC proposals and to input into the appeal process. View the group's monthly meeting minutes.
For details of any scheduled works in connection with the construction of the CERC please visit http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=15877
Contact us
If you have any questions, concerns or comments regarding SITA Cornwall’s proposals for the CERC please call us on 08456 300 300.