The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has today approved Viridor's planning application for a Materials Recycling Facility and Energy from Waste Plant at Avonmouth.

The Materials Recycling Facility will sort and separate large volumes of recyclable material ready for processing into new products. The Energy from Waste plant will be able to process up to 350,000 tonnes of residual waste a year, which is left over once all the recyclable materials have been removed.

Viridor appealed Bristol City Council’s decision not to grant planning permission for the plant on Severn Road. The application was then reviewed at an independent public inquiry in November last year.

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Phil Bines, Viridor's Business Development Manager overseeing the Avonmouth project, said: "We are obviously extremely pleased with the decision.

"Avonmouth is an important part of our strategy for providing support to local authorities and businesses in the South West to increase their recycling rates. The development also offers an alternative to landfill for the disposal of residual waste."

The Energy from Waste plant will produce heat, which could be used by local businesses. It will also be capable of generating 30 Megawatts of electricity; enough to supply over 45,000 homes.

The company is awaiting a decision from the Environment Agency regarding a permit to operate the plant.

Initial ground clearance is already underway and Viridor is looking to begin construction in early 2012.

(CD)