Natural Resources Wales to hold Deeside incinerator public surgery in January.

The Public are being asked for their views on an application for an environmental permit to run an energy from waste facility in Deeside, Flintshire.

Environmental regulator Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has received an application for the permit from Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. (WTI UK Ltd.) for a facility which would burn waste to produce electricity.

NRW will now begin an in-depth assessment of the application, to investigate whether the company’s detailed plans will demonstrate that it can comply with environmental laws.

It will only grant a permit if it is satisfied that the plant can operate without harming the environment.

As part of the process, it is also inviting people to attend a public drop-in session in the New Year to find out more about the proposals, ask questions about the process and give comments on the plans.

The proposed facility would accept up to 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household, industrial and commercial waste per year.

Combined heat and power technology would incinerate the waste, while at the same time generating steam, which would produce electricity through a turbine and generator.

This would produce around 14.4 Megawatts of electricity per year for export to the National Grid – enough to power about 30,000 homes.

Ash produced through the process would be converted on site to produce materials for the construction industry.  

Sian Williams, Head of Operations for North Wales, NRW, said:

“We’ll be looking at this application in great detail before we decide whether or not to grant a permit to allow it to operate.  

“We’ll be consulting with specialist health organisations such as Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Public Health Wales on the plans to investigate whether the facility could have any impact on people’s health.

“And as part of our consultation, we are also inviting local people to comment and provide us with any relevant information which we should consider.

“We will only grant the permit if we are satisfied that the proposed facility can operate without harming the environment or the health of people nearby.”

The consultation runs until Tuesday 3 February and the drop in session will take place on Wednesday 7 January at the Deeside Leisure Centre, between 1pm – 8pm.

A copy of the application is also available to view at NRW’s Buckley Office, Chester Road, Buckley, Flintshire, CH7 3AJ.
The Public Register is open Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) 9.30am until 4.30pm.

People are advised to phone 01244 894538 and speak with a member of staff who can assist, provide technical advice and answer questions before visiting.
Electronic copies on CD can also be requested from permittingconsultations@naturalresourceswales or visit www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk and search ‘Parc Adfer’ for more information.
The environmental permit is a separate process, and assesses different factors, to that of planning permission which is managed by local authorities in Wales.

In order to operate this kind of facility legally, a company needs both an environmental permit, and planning permission.

Image: parcadfer.com