The planning application for the 'Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility' was approved by Leeds City Council's plans panel in February 2013 and Veolia has now agreed the associated conditions and legal agreements with the planning authority.
This will move Veolia a step closer to construction of the plant, currently expected to start in August 2013.
The facility, to be built on the Cross Green Industrial Estate, will provide Leeds with a long-term solution to waste going to landfill. Up to 214,000 tonnes of Leeds' black bin waste will go through the facility a year. Recyclable materials will be removed with the remainder being incinerated. The process will generate enough electricity to power up to 20,000 homes.
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Reflecting their joint commitment to the local community, Veolia has agreed to make a significant sum of money available annually to support projects in the local area that provide sustainable benefits. Veolia has also agreed to share any excess money made from selling electricity and recyclable materials with the council, a significant proportion of which would also be used to support local projects.
Councillor Mark Dobson, executive member for the environment said: "These are really significant milestones for a project that will save us around £200 million compared to the cost of landfilling waste over the lifetime of the contract.
"This is an important long-term partnership and when we take into account other improvements to waste services that we’re making, we can confidently say that we are delivering a sustainable plan to make Leeds cleaner and greener."
(CD/H)
