An Artists Impression of the New Power Plant

Plans to develop a power plant in Ware, capable of producing 34 megawatts of electricity, has been announced by Biffa Waste Services.

The company plan to build a facility at its Westmill landfill site, adjacent to the A10/A602 junction in Ware, on land already consented for future landfill.

According to Biffa Development Director Simon Allin, "Around 350,000 tonnes per annum of this type of waste now comes to our Westmill landfill. If we are successful with our energy recovery facility which could become operational by 2014 – this will mean much less waste going to landfill and, instead of being buried, being used to produce electricity."

If planning permission is granted, the new facility would be built on an area that is already excavated and currently consented for future landfill.

The developement would be within 50 metres of a housing estate whose residents have already suffered from years of misery cuased by the stench from the landfill site.

Construction of the facility, which could be operational by 2014, is likely to take three years and the facility will have a design life of at least 25 years. It will operate to produce electricity continuously.

Landfill at Biffa’s Westmill site started in 1982 and follows the excavation activities of quarry operators CEMEX.

Further information can be found on the website www.biffa.co.uk/westmill

The Biffa Westmill information office can contacted on 08451 800 490 or by emailing westmill@biffa.co.uk.

Biffa will be holding two public exhibitions at The Roebuck Hotel in Ware on Friday 9th October between 2pm and 8pm, and Saturday 10th October between 10am and 4pm.

The company intends to apply to Hertfordshire County Council for planning consent this November.