At odds over Buttington incinerator
The proposal for a large scale local incinerator was raised in the National Assembly for Wales by Russell George AM, and his call has been backed by Councillor Amanda Jenner, County Councillor for the Trewern Ward.
During questions to Julie James, the Welsh Government Minister responsible for planning policy, Mr George asked for the Welsh Government to implement a moratorium on all new incinerators while a full and detailed review is carried out, ahead of a national waste strategy.
Broad Energy Limited is planning to submit an application for a 150,000-tonne waste incinerator (energy recovery facility). The size of the Buttington incinerator means that Welsh Government Ministers, under the Developments of National Significance Process, will make the decision on its approval rather than the local planning authority.
Here are both sides of the story with Mr George’s and Councillor Jenner’s comments below followed by a statement from Broad Energy Limited.
Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire:
“I believe that the Welsh Government should take some time to consider whether the current processes and rules surrounding waste incinerators are fit for purpose, and in so doing, develop a national plan. A moratorium on all new incinerators should be put in place whilst this is carried out.
“Large scale applications, such as the proposed Buttington incinerator, are now decided in Cardiff by Welsh Government Ministers, whereas previously, decisions were made at local level. I was opposed to this change. We must ensure that the decision making processes allow for communities to have a strong voice; it is local people who understand best how developments may impact them. For example, it is local people who know whether their road networks are suitable for large scale developments.”
Councillor Amanda Jenner, County Councillor for Trewern Ward:
“The Welsh Government needs to look at our national waste strategy as a whole, to ensure that waste is dealt with strategically and in the most environmentally conscious ways as possible.
“With the UK Government rightly committing to cut greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050, we need to assess what impact developing more incinerators will have. Currently, the output of Co2 by incinerators is not restricted. Whilst these facilities are capable of producing energy, such production adds to greenhouse gas emissions produced in Wales.
“Furthermore, with the public becoming increasingly conscious of the waste they produce and their use of single use materials, the Welsh Government should look at whether it is right to approve any further waste incinerators, which could divert materials away from recycling.
“The Welsh Government, having declared a climate emergency, should embrace the opportunity to re-consider its waste strategy.”
Alistair Hilditch-Brown, Chief Executive of the Broad Group:
“Whilst it is always a good idea to review and assess our waste strategies, this should be a continuous and ongoing process to achieve the best environmental outcome rather than putting an entire country’s environmental status on hold.
“The proposed energy recovery facility (ERF) at Buttington will use state-of-the-art technology, provided by Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), which has a significant track record in building such facilities. It will be capable of processing up to 150,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste transformed into low-carbon electricity capable of providing electricity to more than 20,000 homes.
“This is a positive step in helping the region deliver strong employment and cheaper renewable energy. It will also assist the county of Powys in dealing with its waste without transporting it significant distances or landfilling it.
“Everyone is entitled to an opinion and we have been extremely open when it comes to listening and encouraging the views of others. However, we cannot escape the fact that waste which can’t be recycled ends up in a landfill site, or worse. By taking waste and turning it into low-carbon electricity and heating, this project will help Wales take a giant step towards its target of achieving zero landfill by 2050.”
He pointed out that single-use plastic is extremely difficult to recycle and, as evidenced by the recent BBC ‘War on Plastic’, much of the so-called recyclables being collected across the UK is being exported, some of which is burned in the open.
Mr Hilditch-Brown added that under the Wellbeing of Future Generations 2015, the Welsh Public Sector organisations have a legal duty to be globally responsible, therefore the exportation of waste from Wales should cease.
“It is proven that landfill causes environmental legacy and as such this option to dispose of waste is greatly restricted. The stockpiling of waste materials that has no outlet often results in large fires, as has happened on a number of occasions in recent years. There are currently no other options for dealing with the amount of waste generated in Wales, and no substantive policy to manage the period between now and the target of zero waste by 2050.
“A ‘road map’ to 2050 is required and energy recovery facilities are part of the road map. Other routes should include education, pressure on the supply chains, and the consumer.
“The planned ERF will create around 300 construction jobs and 35 permanent, skilled jobs when operational. Broad Energy is planning to work with local employment providers to ensure Powys residents get the first chance to secure jobs at the site, plus develop surrounding land to bring the very best employers to the region.
“One of the reasons the Welsh Assembly took ownership of the planning process two years ago was to ensure it worked within a national framework, not because it took powers away from the community.
“But what we’ve shown is that the community will benefit hugely from this scheme with jobs and prosperity. We’re trying to future-proof the area and keep younger generations in the region. Indeed, the alternatives could mean the site returning to life as a quarry which wouldn’t bring any of those wider benefits.
“This is not an isolated development - this is the cornerstone. There are lots of opportunities to bring new innovative businesses into Powys and we continue to be excited by the possibilities.”
Mr Hilditch-Brown said the project was at an advanced stage of the design process and discussions with Local Planning Officers and the various statutory consultees were positive and ongoing.
He added: “We will, in due course, be holding a Public Consultation event in the area surrounding the development to further obtain the views of local people.”
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