11 December 2000

Hampshire Waste Services, the private waste recycling and disposal contractor, has confirmed its delight with the approval by Hampshire County Council of its plans to build a new generation energy from waste incinerator on the waterside near Marchwood, Southampton.

The state of the art plant, housed in an aluminium clad dome and set in an industrial area at Marchwood Industrial Park, has received unexpected but welcome support for its innovative design from the local community during public consultations, and has also been endorsed by local councillors.

The 36 metre high dome will house all the equipment of the plant under its 110 metre diameter, with two chimneys rising from its centre to a height of 65 metres - making it smaller in height than the previous power station on the site.

Forming an important part of the integrated waste strategy for the county in disposing of those materials left over once re-use and recycling has taken place, the 165,000 tonne facility is designed to serve the needs of West Hampshire. It will have the capability of generating in excess of 14 MW of electricity from the process. Supplied to the Grid, this will power more than 14,000 local homes.

In welcoming the decision, John Collis, Project Director at Hampshire Waste said, "We are delighted with this common sense decision which has weighed the facts and the views of all interested parties and been based on planning considerations rather than party politics."

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DELIGHT AT DECISION ON MARCHWOOD ENERGY FROM WASTE INCINERATOR/2

"We have been very heartened to learn of the support in the community for our innovative new design concept - believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

"It was very helpful to have previously received authorisation from the Environment Agency, giving a clear steer on an issue that we know is close to local people, that the plant will be safe.

"We will now proceed with the development of the final engineering designs. The build and commissioning programme is expected to span a period of 34 months, once the contractors have been instructed to proceed."

Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, now has 21 days to provide final ratification of the committee's decision.

The positive determination gives Hampshire Waste planning consent for two of the three plants it has planned to serve the waste disposal needs of Hampshire. They form a significant element of Project Integra, the Beacon award winning waste strategy and partnership for Hampshire, which aims to recycle and dispose of the waste arising in the county in a much more sustainable and effective way.

11 December 2000

For further information:

John Collis, Hampshire Waste Services, Tel: (01962) 764000

Issued by: Sue Todd, Polymedia, Tel: (01329) 311211