After a bidding process of over three years our Executive Board took the decision on 2 November 2011 to appoint Veolia ES Aurora Limited as the preferred bidder to treat Leeds' residual/black bin household waste for the next 25 years.
Our aim is to recycle over half of all household waste by 2016. Veolia’s facility will treat the remaining residual waste by recovering recyclable materials and energy. This will divert residual waste away from landfill, which causes harmful environmental impacts and contributes to climate change through the release of powerful greenhouse gases.
The proposed facility includes a flexible mechanical pre-treatment stage to remove a range of recyclable materials left in the residual waste. The waste left over will then be burnt under controlled and safe conditions using proven Energy Recovery technology, to supply the National Grid with enough electricity for over 20,000 households. It will also be capable of supplying heat to local businesses or new housing should a suitable scheme come forward.
The recycling and energy recovery facility proposed by Veolia will be built next to the East Leeds Link Road on the southern part of the vacant former wholesale market site in the Cross Green Industrial Area. The environmental credentials of the design and complementary landscape proposals will create a landmark building and ensure a positive contribution to the Leeds Aire Valley area.
Veolia’s proposed solution will provide much needed financial savings as the cost of landfill is increasing each year, with landfill tax reaching £80 per tonne by 2014. These savings are expected to be around £200 million over the next 25 years compared to the costs of landfill.
Veolia will be submitting a planning application supported by full environmental impact assessment for their facility in Spring 2012. They will also be applying for an Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency to operate the facility. The Environment Agency will ensure Veolia complies with their permit conditions and EU legislation by regularly inspecting the facility and continuously monitoring its emissions performance.
Veolia are committed to working with and listening to the local communities for every step of the development process. This will start with their pre-planning application communications, exhibitions and consultation which will take place from November 2011 to March 2012.
Further information is provided in the attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
