Why do we need new facilities?
We are proud that thanks to the efforts of Suffolk residents, we
are one of the best recycling counties in the country with over
half our waste recycled. We aim to get that up to 60% by 2015.
But despite this good work, we are left with around 170,000
tonnes of household waste a year. Currently this waste goes to
landfill, but that cannot continue. We are running out of landfill
space, it is extremely costly because of the government’s hefty
landfill taxes, and environmentally we can do better.
We wanted to find a tried and tested technology to provide a
cheaper, greener solution to dispose of this waste. Both
politically and at officer level we have spent a long time
researching and debating this issue.
As a result, we have chosen Energy from Waste, also known as
incineration.
How does Energy from Waste work?
Modern Energy from Waste plants put waste to good use as a fuel
for generating electricity – reducing our dependence on
increasingly scarce resources such as oil, coal and gas. The plant
we are proposing would provide enough electricity to power itself
and around 30,000 homes, that’s equivalent to a town the size of
Lowestoft.
For further details go to
the Key Facts page – how Energy from Waste
works.
Is it safe?
Before the facility can open it will need a permit, with strict
environmental and operating
conditions attached. The permit will only be issued if the
Environment Agency is sure people and the environment will
be safe and protected.
Numerous studies have been undertaken, both in this country and
abroad, into the safety of Energy from Waste plants. All have
concluded there are no significant health risks.
What about emissions and smoke from the chimney?
Much of what comes out of the chimney is not smoke at all, it’s
steam. Everything that is discharged through the chimney has
already been treated to remove potentially harmful substances, so
emission levels will be well below the limits set by the
Environment Agency. Everything is continuously monitored to make
sure the site is operating safely.
What about smell, noise and air quality?
The site will not create excessive noise or vibration and latest
technology will be used to minimise any smell and make sure it is
contained within the building. SITA UK operates three other Energy
from Waste plants in the UK and in the last six years, there hasn’t
been a single complaint about smell from any of them.
Air quality in the area is currently good and will remain so
when the site opens. Strict conditions on air quality and noise
levels are included in the operating permit form the Environment
Agency. The site will operate well within those limits.
Where will the facility be built?
It will be built on the former highways depot at Lodge Lane, Great
Blakenham, near Ipswich.
It is one of four sites identified in the Waste Core Strategy (a
long-term planning document) as being suitable for waste
development.
It is close to the A14, making access to the site easy and
limiting and number of lorries going through Suffolk villages. It
is relatively central to the rest of the county and close to
Ipswich, the main generator of waste in Suffolk.
Will it mean more traffic on the roads?
An independent survey has show the overall amount of traffic going
to the proposed Energy from Waste plant will be more than halved
compared with its previous use as a highways depot, although the
number of lorries will increase slightly.
Vehicles going in or out of the site each day
|
Energy from Waste |
Highways depot |
Difference |
|
Lorries |
212 |
178 |
+ 34 |
|
Cars |
96 |
502 |
-406 |
|
Coaches |
4 |
0 |
+ 4 |
|
Total |
312 |
680 |
-368 |
Where will the waste come from?
The facility has been designed to take household waste from the
whole of Suffolk (around 170,000 tonnes a year after recycling).
With a capacity of 269,000 tonnes, there will also be room to take
some of the county’s business waste.
What will the building look like?
The building has been designed by celebrated architects Grimshaws,
who also designed the Eden Project in Cornwall. We are aiming for
the BREEAM excellent standard and if successful this will be the
first building of its type in the country to achieve this. For the
building to be judged on this international standard it will be
marked on factors including the materials used in construction,
energy consumption, water-use and the management of the building,
including heating, lighting, noise, and air quality.
It is extremely important to us that the facility looks right in
our Suffolk setting and a tremendous amount of work was put into
the design of the building, which will sit on an industrial site,
but close to the spectacular Gipping Valley.
The skyline, such an important feature of the Suffolk landscape,
will be emphasised as it reflects against the building, so the view
you get will change, depending on the light at different times of
the day.
How much is it costing?
Financially Energy from Waste is a good deal for Suffolk. Our
contractors, SITA UK will pay for the £180 million building, and a
government grant, worth nearly £200 million over the 25-year life
of the contract, will help to cover the on-going costs. In all,
switching to Energy from Waste will be around
£350 million cheaper over the next 25 years than our current
land fill operation.
How many jobs will be created?
There will be 43 long-term jobs, once the facility opens and up to
250 temporary jobs at the peak of construction. These jobs will
include both skilled and semi-skilled long-term opportunities with
roles ranging from shift managers and maintenance personnel to
crane operators, security and admin staff. There will also be
opportunities for local firms to supply goods and services to the
site. Experience at other SITA UK sites suggests around £1 million
a year is spent in the local economy. A business open morning, for
firms interested in supplying the site, has already been
held.
What are the operating hours of the facility?
It is proposed the facility will receive waste between 6am and
10pm every day, except Christmas day, with the majority of
deliveries between 9am and 4pm, although the precise operating
hours will be decided as part of the planning process. Deliveries
on Sundays and Bank Holidays will be limited to essential council
deliveries to keep household waste collections and household waste
recycling centres operational.
It will produce power 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will
operate continuously throughout the year, except during shutdown
periods for maintenance (two weeks a year).
The visitor centre will be open between 10am and 5pm, Monday to
Friday. In the evenings it will be available for local residents to
use.
What is the timetable for the project?
SITA UK was granted planning permission on 21 July 2011. Work is
due to start later this year and the site should be open by
December 2014.
How can I have my say on the proposal?
You can:
· Call the Freephone information line on: 0800 072 1179
· Write to: SITA Suffolk, Freepost RSHJ-LKUR-TALS, PPS Group,
Langham House, 302-308 Regent Street, London W1B 3AT
· E-mail:
suffolkefw@sita.co.uk
· Fill in the on-line feedback form at:
www.suffolkefw.co.uk
Who are SITA UK?
SITA UK is a recycling and resource management company, established
in 1988. It currently runs three other Energy from Waste plants in
the UK and it parent company runs many more across Europe.
For further details:
www.sita.co.uk
How do SITA UK engage with the local community?
SITA UK prides itself on being a good neighbour and is keen to make
sure local people are kept fully informed about the proposals. Two
rounds of public exhibitions have been held - in July 2010 in Great
Blakenham and in September 2010, at various locations around the
county, including Great Blakenham.
Regular newsletters are distributed to around 9,000 homes near
the site, and a Community Liaison Group, made up of local people,
has been set up. The group meets each month and has so far
discussed traffic issues and air quality. The agenda and minutes
from the meetings can be found at:
www.suffolkefw.co.uk