Beechwood Recycling
Following materials published regarding the Beechwood Recycling development, we want to provide you with an update about what promises to be a positive project for the local community.
Firstly from Cllr Dicicco SMBC:
“I have read the leaflet being circulated to residents of Meriden concerning the proposed biomass plant, with a mix of anger and incredulity. The scurrilous claims being made by UKIP have no basis in fact and are purely designed to scare local people. The proposed biomass plant will have to meet very stringent emissions regulations set by the Environment Agency – if it didn’t it would be shut down. I believe that the plant will offer a number of advantages to the local area in terms of employment and reducing the amount of our rubbish sent to landfill, which in turn causes problems to local people. I support the Meriden Parish Council and SMBC Planning Committee decision to support this proposed development”.
Myth Busting– These are the facts that have been outlined in the planning application and are publicly available. It is unfortunate that distortion of the facts serves merely to promote confusion and uncertainty. This is extremely unhelpful for all of us.
- The project will have minimal impact on air quality locally
- The maximum emissions of 33 micrograms per cubic metre from the exhaust flue are defined as “low”. Similar facilities with similar fuel input show emissions for this plant are likely to run at around 0.3micrograms per cubic metre
- Emissions at this level would not come close to reaching local properties
- The plant will comply with the very highest air quality standards set out in the Industrial Emissions Directive. This is a very onerous standard and ensures protection of local environment and people
- By abiding by the IED and using state of the art filtration technology, the plant will not generate the toxic emissions produced by hazardous waste incineration facilities
- The feedstock will comprise recycled wood that does not include hazardous compounds
- The plant will incorporate the best available technology, to ensure it is able to meet the challenging standards set within the IED
- The only ash produced will be comprehensively managed at source, meaning it will have no impact on air quality
- The plant will have a Continuing Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) which actively responds to ensure emissions remain low
A message from Beechwood Recycling regarding its recycling and renewable energy development at Meriden Quarry:
We have been working closely with local people and specialist organisations to develop a state of the art facility which will create clean, renewable energy from sources of waste, with significant emphasis on respect for the environment and low emissions.
The Parish Council, the Meriden Liaison Committee and Solihull Council all recognise the need for sustainable sources of energy and alternatives to landfill. We have also consulted with Public Health England, the Environment Agency and Solihull’s Highways team, as well as local people over the last six months and the project has received no formal objections. We would like to thank all those who have engaged with this democratic process.
The commitment to spend over £14m in the development of the scheme will make a significant local contribution, creating approximately 200 jobs in the construction phase and 20 permanent operational positions. Once completed it will provide the region with a high quality facility – using the best available technology – to support efforts to recycle more and send less waste to landfill for years to come.
As so many people have recognised, facilities like this have a crucial role to play in delivering a cleaner, sustainable future for Meriden and Solihull.
We encourage anyone with any questions to get in touch with us directly and will be engaging with all political candidates to explain the positive impact the project will have.
