Plans for a 65,000-tonne energy-from-waste facility that will generate heat and power from domestic refuse have been approved, subject to conditions, by Peterborough City Council's planning and environmental protection committee yesterday.

Government Office for the East will announce later this week whether it wishes to 'call-in' the application for review.

The proposed facility – to be built on the site of Peterborough's existing materials recycling facility in Fourth Drove in the Eastern Industry area of Peterborough – is part of a long-term waste management solution that minimises reliance on diminishing landfill space.

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The planning permission acknowledges that the facility will have spare capacity in the early years of operation and stipulates that at least 75% of the waste comes from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and a 50-kilometre radius of the facility.

Under a policy adopted in February 2007, the city council aims to raise recycling and composting of household and garden materials to over 65%by 2020 and to use residual, non-recycled waste as fuel to generate energy. The city council has already applied to the Environment Agency for an environment permit, which is needed before the facility can begin operating.

Meanwhile, officers are evaluating the credentials of companies that have expressed interest in building and operating the energy-from-waste facility. A shortlist of potential firms will be drawn up and detailed negotiations will lead to the selection of a preferred contractor. The new facility could begin operating in early 2014.

(CD/GK)