Braintree District Council is set to respond to Indaver’s public consultation on the development consent order (DCO) for the Rivenhall Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF).
The proposed development, located on the site of the former Rivenhall Airfield near Silver End, was granted planning permission by the Secretary of State in 2010 following a call-in public inquiry.
Braintree District Council strongly objected to the principle of the scheme in 2008 and council officers gave evidence at the subsequent public inquiry.
The council believes that if the site is coming forward then all facilities on the site, as per the original application, should be built. It also asked the Environment Agency to consider imposing conditions requiring additional air quality checks as part of the environmental permit, a requirement to operate the plant, in its 2020 consultation.
Last year work began on the site to start building the facility.
A consultation is now open which invites stakeholders and the public to share their views on the IWMF and the proposals to increase the electrical energy output of the incinerator from up to 49.9 to over 50MW. Braintree District Council understand this is a technical change which has no impact on the physical appearance of the building or the amount of waste it would process.
The DCO will then be decided by central Government as it is classed as a National Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIPs).
Councillor Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure at Braintree District Council, said: “We have strongly objected to these plans since day one and fully understand and share residents’ concerns around this facility. We’ve worked proactively with Essex County Council and the Environment Agency to express these concerns over the years to try and minimise the impacts on local residents, infrastructure and the environment. Whilst we unfortunately can’t stop the incinerator from going ahead, we will continue to engage and attempt to get the best possible operational solutions for residents.”
Residents can read more about the Rivenhall Incinerator project and have their say on the development consent order at www.rivenhall-iwmf.co.uk/dco-process which closes on 23rd August 2023. They can also comment and find out more by:
- submitting comments via their online feedback form
- writing to the applicant at Woodhouse Farm, Woodhouse Lane, Kelvedon, CO5 9DF
- emailing their comments to info@rivenhall-iwmf.co.uk
- attending one of the consultation events
Braintree District Council’s draft consultation response will go to its Local Plan Sub-Committee for councillor approval on 3rd August 2023.
Braintree District Council has had no statutory power to grant or refuse planning permission.