Record £1bn contract awarded by county

THE biggest contract ever awarded by a Yorkshire council was approved yesterday to build a multi-million pound waste incinerator after the most intense debate the authority has witnessed in a decade.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Dec 2010, 08:34 BST
Updated 16th Dec 2010, 08:41 BST

North Yorkshire County Council approved the controversial plans to award the 1bn contract for the waste management plant to an international firm, AmeyCespa after a four-hour debate during which campaigners made impassioned pleas for councillors to ditch the proposals and instead focus on boosting recycling rates.

The issue even split the council's executive, with deputy leader John Watson voting against awarding the contract.

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Afterwards he said: "I am disappointed, and I do believe there are other technologies now available that should be pursued."

The waste management plant, due to be built at Allerton Park, will use mechanical sorting and anaerobic digestion to produce green energy. But the incinerator should save taxpayers up to 320m over 25 years by avoiding landfill taxes.

Executive member for waste disposal Coun Clare Wood, admitted the debate was the most intense she had seen since becoming a councillor in 2001, adding: "It is a very significant decision, and one which is of huge importance to everyone in North Yorkshire. Burying money in the ground by putting waste in landfill is pointless, and this gives us another strategy."

Related topics:North YorkshireNorth Yorkshire County Council