Wood recycler R Plevin and Sons has taken a step forward in its plans to build a wood-fuelled renewable energy plant at its site in Nottinghamshire.
The Environment Agency (EA) has published for consultation a draft environmental permit for the proposed biomass combined heat and power plant at Elkesley, which will use around 22,000 tonnes of waste wood annually.
This, Plevin says, indicates that the EA is satisfied that the proposed facility will be environmentally safe. If granted, the company’s planning application will then be considered by the local council.
Plevin managing director Jamie Plevin said he hoped the draft permit would reassure some local residents, some of whom have voiced opposition to the proposals and have set up a website www.elkesleyagainstincineration.co.uk.
The plant is designed to generate electricity to power Plevin’s existing manufacturing facility, as well as to dry wood shavings. Excess power would be exported to the National Grid.
Up to 16 full-time permanent jobs would be created.
Plevin, one of the largest suppliers of animal bedding products in the UK (Snowflake and Woodpecker sawdust and shavings brands), collects, processes and distributes about 600,000 tonnes of wood annually.
