Incinerator plans submitted to Welsh Government

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

A formal planning application to build the 12.8 mega watt incinerator at Buttington Quarry (

pictured

) has been submitted to the Welsh Government.

The developers claim that the scheme could create 35 jobs and produce enough electricity to power 20,000 homes, but it has met significant resistance from the local community.

The proposal is seen as a Development of National Significance (DNS) so it will be dealt with by government planning inspectors rather than Powys County Council planners.

The application by Alastair Hilditch-Brown of Broad Energy (Wales) Ltd, proposes: “Construction and operation of an energy recovery facility for the importation, storage and treatment of municipal, commercial and industrial waste and generation of heat and electricity.”

This would involve “re-profiling” a void in the quarry, earth works, changes to existing residential access and a new vehicle access from the A458 Welshpool to Shrewsbury trunk road.

Other facilities and buildings needed at the site include an electricity transformer sub-station and grid connection, weighbridge, areas to store materials, workshop, offices and canteen facilities for workers, electric vehicle charging facilities and even bicycle storage.

While the application is being dealt with by planning inspectors, the local authority as a statutory consultee will have a role to play.

According to the planning DNS acceptance notice by planning inspectorate case officer, Gemma James, Powys planners will need to produce a “comprehensive Local Impact Report” of these plans.

This will need to be submitted to the inspectorate as part of the process by May 24.

This report will need to include the likely impact of the area, planning history of the site, evidence of publicity, and any other planning or environmental consents Broad Energy may need to apply for as part of the scheme.

Also as part of the “procedure order” county and community councillors affected by the proposal will also need to give their views by May 24.

Ms James said: “The procedure will be determined 10 working days after the representations and Local Impact Report deadline has passed.”

Ms James added that if a hearing or inquiry is needed to deal with the application the planning inspectorate would provide at least four weeks’ written notice of arrangements.

Since the community were made aware of the potential development in 2018, a campaign group objecting to the proposal public meetings and protests have taken place in Trewern.

Developers Broad Energy say the facility will “significantly reduce” the amount of waste sent to landfill while generating low-carbon energy at the same time, facts that are disputed by the campaigners.

Broad Energy believe the facility “will be a significant step in the right direction” towards helping Wales to become a zero-waste nation by 2050.