North London residents to help shape replacement energy facility

27 Nov 2014
North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has launched its first phase of public consultation on the North London Heat and Power Project - a £450-500 million Energy Recovery Facility at the Edmonton EcoPark in the London Borough of Enfield. It is inviting everyone to get involved and help shape the plans. 
  • Public consultation begins on replacement energy facility at the Edmonton EcoPark, Enfield that will use waste left over after recycling as a fuel to create electricity and generate heat for local homes and businesses
  • First phase of consultation to help shape the proposals starts on 28 November and ends on 27 January 2015.
  • Second phase planned for May - June 2015
  • North London aims for at least 50 per cent of waste to be recycled by 2020
  • North London Waste Authority will demolish the existing Energy from Waste plant after moving operations to the new one in around 2025

North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has launched its first phase of public consultation on the North London Heat and Power Project - a £450-500 million Energy Recovery Facility at the Edmonton EcoPark in the London Borough of Enfield. It is inviting everyone to get involved and help shape the plans.

The consultation starts on 28 November 2014 and finishes on 27 January 2015. People are being encouraged to go online to find out more on the project’s website www.northlondonheatandpower.london. The website includes a feedback form, a summary of the project and all the detailed documents. It also has a short video that explains the project and how everyone can get involved.

NLWA and the seven boroughs in the area have agreed a joint target for north London to aim for at least 50 per cent of its waste to be recycled by 2020. Using fuel – waste collected by the seven boroughs which cannot be recycled - the replacement facility would generate power for around 127,000 homes and could provide heat for local homes and businesses. Heat would be distributed locally through schemes like Enfield Council’s planned Lee Valley Heat Network.

The existing Energy from Waste plant at the EcoPark that has served north London well for around 45 years but is coming to the end of its operational life. Councillor Clyde Loakes, Chair of NLWA, said: “We want to prevent waste, we want you to recycle it and anything you can’t, we’re going to turn into fuel and use it to heat and power homes.

“We want you to get involved with our consultation and help us shape the plans for north London. It is a once in a generation opportunity to help us maximise the benefits of waste you can’t recycle.

"We are going to set the benchmark with this project: We want the best technology available when it comes to air quality, the best design available in terms of how it looks, and best of all, in my opinion, is we’re going to be able to heat people’s homes for many years to come.” To respond to the consultation comments can be made in writing by completing a feedback form on the website, emailing NLWA at info@northlondonheatandpower.london or posting comments to: FREEPOST HEAT AND POWER.

Benefits

The existing facility employs around 180 people and a replacement would ensure there are manual and highly-skilled jobs on the site for many decades to come. There will also be many construction jobs involved in building the new plant – expected to start around 2022 and last for three years - as well as jobs involved in the demolition of the existing Energy from Waste plant.

The scheme ensures the EcoPark will continue to be a hub for energy and renewable heat expertise. It would provide significant investment in the local Edmonton area and provide opportunities for local business to supply services.

NLWA and the seven boroughs in the area have agreed a joint target for north London to aim for at least 50 per cent of its waste to be recycled by 2020. Using fuel – waste collected by the seven boroughs which cannot be recycled - the replacement facility would generate power for around 127,000 homes and could provide heat for local homes and businesses. Heat would be distributed locally through schemes like Enfield Council’s planned Lee Valley Heat Network.

Development consent

The site is already earmarked by Enfield Council and the Mayor of London for ongoing waste management use, however due to the amount of electricity it will generate NLWA must submit an application for a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspectorate will examine the proposal and will hold a series of local hearings before making a recommendation to the Government, which will then make a decision on whether to grant the DCO.

As part of this process NLWA has created a Statement of Community Consultation which sets out how it will consult in the period in which it is preparing the application. This document has been subject to consultation with Enfield Council, the host borough of our application.

Councillor Clyde Loakes added: “This is a very prescriptive planning process set out by the Government for projects like these. We will use this process to ensure we get the best project for north London.”

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