A controversial new storage facility that could process more than 240,000 tonnes of incinerated rubbish every year could be coming to the banks of the Mersey.
An application has been submitted to Wirral Council by Covanta Energy Ltd to construct the new building on a Biffa site next to the Port Sunlight river park in Bromborough. The proposed site would take ash from incinerated waste from facilities in Ellesmere Port as well as a plant in Dublin.
Waste will be stored in the facility for several weeks before being processed. It can then be used in construction such as asphalt or cement or as filler. The incinerated waste would otherwise go to landfill with Covanta processing in total more than 1.4m tonnes every year. This generates electricity for 300,000 homes according to the company.
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Concerns have been raised by Bromborough councillor Jo Bird as well as other campaigners for Wirral’s Green Party, which opposes waste incineration arguing it is at odds with net-zero ambitions.
The proposed site sits near to the Mersey View housing estate as well as sites where hundreds of new homes have been proposed in Bromborough Wharf and near Dibbinsdale Brook.
Cllr Bird said “Such heavy industry is completely unsuitable next to residential homes. Along with many people who live nearby, we are opposed to this application. Thousands of people nearby would be affected by new noise, air, odour and traffic pollution.
“The site is also next to River Park and part of our Site of Special Scientific Interest including habitat for seals, herons, egrets and oyster catchers.”
Cllr Bird said residents nearby had reached out over concerns about the new facility from HGVs using Dock Road South alongside family cars and cyclists as well as possible noise and air pollution.
Victoria Merton, Director of Policy & Sustainability at Covanta Europe said: “The proposal for an aggregate recycling facility will redevelop a brownfield site that has been out of use for many years and sits within an area designated as primarily industrial.
“The proposed plant will be used to recycle ash from energy recovery facilities to create secondary aggregates for the construction industry. This reduces the need to mine virgin resources and puts existing material into productive use, contributing to the creation of a circular economy.
“The proposal is in line with the government’s emerging resources and waste strategy with a focus on moving waste further up the waste hierarchy. It also supports the levelling up agenda by providing local employment.
“The facility itself will create up to 15 full-time jobs and support up to 25 more in the local supply chain, with around 50 people employed during the 12-month construction phase. In addition, the proposal contributes to the North West’s growing reputation as a hub for sustainable innovation.
“The application is being considered by Wirral Council and, as part of the regulated process, takes full consideration of the local community, including any impacts on wildlife and traffic flows.”
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