A controversial waste treatment scheme in Northwich has received the green light from planners.

DONG Energy’s application to construct and operate biorescource facility REnescience Northwich on part of the Lostock Works industrial site was unanimously approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee on Tuesday (February 2).

The plant – which will be located on brownfield land off the A530 Griffiths Road – will produce biogas and generate around 5MW of renewable electricity, in addition to materials for recycling.

Vice-president of DONG Energy Peter Thomsen has called the committee granting consent an ‘important step towards building a modern and innovative waste treatment facility that will recover resources from waste and generate renewable electricity’.

REnescience Northwich will treat municipal and commercial waste from across the North West and North Midlands.

'Naturally very pleased'

Mr Thomsen said: “We are naturally very pleased by the planning committee’s unanimous decision and would like to thank them for granting planning consent for REnescience Northwich.

“We will now scrutinise the planning conditions and determine the best way forward in conjunction with Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“As part of our proposals, we intend to work closely alongside the local community.

“We are keen to ensure our facility remains a good neighbour throughout the construction period, as well as when it comes into operation.”

'Rubbish capital of the UK'

But one resident fears the plant will contribute towards Northwich becoming the ‘rubbish capital of the UK’.

Liam Byrne, who addressed committee members about his concerns, has since branded Tuesday’s meeting a ‘grotesque farce’.

“We had 11 councillors, none of whom live in or close to Northwich, deciding on a scheme which will add to the misery of a large section of the local community who live in Lostock and Rudheath,” he said.

“The additional tonnage of garbage that DONG intends to transport from around the UK means that plans have now been approved for more than a million tonnes to be treated in the town every year.

“We are truly on course to become the rubbish capital of the UK. Thank you CWaC.”

DONG Energy, which ran a public consultation from July 1 to September 26 last year, invites residents to email any questions to northwich@dongenergy.co.uk or click here.

What do you think about REnescience Northwich? Let us know in the comments below.