Council to consider 'energy from waste' bid

A FIRM which processes rubbish has applied to extend its operation to include a so-called "energy from waste" facility at its site on the border between Sheffield and Rotherham.

Sterecycle currently operates a plant at Templeborough on the site of a former steelworks and deals with household refuse, separating organic material from plastics and glass.

The organic material is used to make a fibre which the company says can be used as a soil treatment, while the recyclable material is sent to be reused in manufacturing.

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But the company is still left with a by-product which at present cannot be reused and bosses have lodged a planning application to allow them to burn it to produce power.

Rotherham Council's planning committee will examine the proposals at a meeting tomorrow and planning officers have advised members that the proposals are acceptable.

In a report to the committee, officers say: "The proposal site lies within an existing industrial area within Templeborough where industrial development is encouraged.

"The proposed facility would enable the continuation of the processing of waste arising within Rotherham to be treated within the borough and would reduce the need for transportation of wastes for disposal in other administrative areas.

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"It is considered that the need for a facility to treat wastes has been adequately demonstrated previously and that the visual impact of the proposed plant and machinery to enable the energy from waste to operate without having a detrimental impact on the visual appearance of the wider area is acceptable."

If approval is given the company will extend its operations and machinery, and build a 167ft (51m) high chimney which will remove waste gases from the burning process.

Sheffield's East End Quality of Life Initiative, a project which aims to tackle air pollution in the area which is close to the M1, has called on the council to ensure that the facility does not lead to an increase in "bad odours".