Heysham waste facility gets green light

Veolia has been given the go-ahead for the construction of a £200M energy recovery facility in Heysham, Lancashire.

Lancashire County Council’s development control committee has unanimously approved the project, which will incinerate 330,000t of non-hazardous waste every year – and create enough electricity to power 60,000 homes.

Waste firm Veolia will still need to obtain a separate permit from the Environment Agency, which will regulate emissions from the facility’s two, 90m-high chimney stacks.

According to Veolia, the facility represents a sustainable approach to treat the County’s waste. The project will create up to 350 construction jobs as well as indirect employment during the build programme.

Veolia Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Richard Kirkman said: “We have extensive experience in delivering and operating such facilities and will provide training opportunities for young people through its apprenticeship scheme and those of its contractors. Currently, Lancashire’s waste is being sent to landfill or is treated outside of the County and the plant will provide a sustainable low carbon treatment solution.”