New Edmonton incinerator gets government approval

Business and energy secretary Greg Clark has given the go-ahead to a new energy-from-waste plant at the Edmonton EcoPark. The plans were approved following an examination by the Planning Inspectorate which began in February 2016. It will replace Edmonton’s existing energy-from-waste facility (easily seen from the North Circular and many local spots with an easterly viewpoint) with a new plant which, unlike the old one, will produce heat as well as power. Site preparations are currently scheduled to begin in 2019 and construction in 2022 before the new facility is commissioned in 2025. The new energy-from-waste plant will have an electrical output of up to 70MW and will be able process 700,000 tonnes of waste annually. The old plant can process 550,000 of waste each year.

An artist's impression of the planned heat-and-power station released at the time the 2015 consultationThis approach replaces the plan for a residual waste treatment plant at Pinkham Way, whereby waste would be processed into fuel pellets before being transported to the DS Smith fibre plant in Kent. The Pinkham Way Alliance (PWA) strongly resisted these plans over several years until this new approach - said to be a £900m cheaper option - was revealed.

The Authority retains Pinkham Way, a Grade 1 Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, as a “strategic asset” despite having no (public) strategy for the site. Public utterances however suggest they intend to build on the site, if possible and approved.

PWA is currently contesting the site's (unique) dual designation as Employment Land with the Planning Inspector. Following that decision it is likely the long awaited rewrite of the North London Waste Plan will be launched on its approval journey.

PWA focuses on the specific Pinkham Way site and has already saved north London's ratepayers some £900m through their campaign. Edmonton was out of area but linked representations were made up to the second stage of public consultation. The analysis suggested the proposed scale, at 700,000 tpa, was in excess of what data indicated was required, implying waste may end up being imported into north London.

Taking the analysis (see Response to Phase 2 Edmonton Consultation below) the next step to public inquiry inevitably involves professional presentation in this QC-centric cross examination stage. With the North London Waste Plan expected shortly that is why PWA needs local support, both in signing in support of their submissions, and ideally financial to meet such end-of-work professional bills. You can find out more and sign up for occasional newsletters at www.pinkhamwayalliance.org.