Frequently Asked Questions

Who is proposing this development?

We are Waste Energy Power Partners, a UK-based company with a proven track record of developing clean energy projects to help the UK move towards a low-carbon economy. We have similar facilities in construction or operating safely in other parts of the UK.

Where is it?

The proposed location is within Kitsmead Recycling Centre, a developed semi-industrial site off Kitsmead Lane, just south of the M3 and due east of the Longcross Estate.

The land is within the Trumps Farm recycling site, part of the wider area specialising in waste handling and other industrial activities, and these would continue.

Envar currently operate a green waste composting facility on the site, part of which is land which our proposed Energy Recovery Facility would occupy. The composting is likely to continue alongside the proposed development

To the other side, Agrivert and Severn Trent Green Power has operated a food waste to energy facility since 2014. This takes commercial and municipal food wastes and digests them to produce biogas, from which electricity is generated.

The remainder of the site is used for open storage of plant and machinery.

Who will consider the planning application?

Our planning application will be considered by Surrey County Council. We will need to demonstrate that we can build and operate the site to the highest standards at all times. We will be closely monitored by the Environment Agency during operation.

Our application is accompanied by an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) with our application, demonstrating how we would minimise any potential impact on the environment. We will also provide a traffic routing plan which will guide how deliveries should approach and leave the site.

Now the application is prepared, we are able to respond to queries about on the development. While we are open to feedback at any time, we would welcome views during our consultation period. You can find more details on our website.

What sort of waste will you be treating?

We will be treating hard-to-recycle clinical waste from sources such as: NHS organisations e.g. acute hospitals and GP surgeries;, the private healthcare sector; nursing homes; dentists; pharmacies; veterinary clinics; pharmaceutical companies; and tattoo parlours that would otherwise be likely to go to specialist landfill or to facilities at a considerable distance from the source that do not recover energy.

The site will safely treat everyday waste from hospitals, including single-use items such as swabs and bandages, as well as ancillary items such as single-use coffee cups from hospital vending machines. It would also be licenced to treat materials confiscated by law enforcement.

We will do this with modern, efficient equipment that fully meets the stringent safety and emissions regulations in place today.

The site would only handle waste under contract and would not be open to the public or general trade use.

Is the process safe?

There are a large number of similar facilities already operating in the UK and Europe, and are a fundamental part of environmentally sustainable energy generation and waste management.

The heat treatment at very high temperatures will ensure that all materials are heat sterilised, and that all biodegradable elements are rendered inert. The specialist containers which the sealed materials are stored in are then sterilised using steam generated as a by-product of the process.

The end product of the treatment process, ash, is an inert material and is not odorous. This will be taken away in sealed skips to be recycled.

How will local residents be able to report any litter/waste that finds its way into the surrounding area?

The waste will arrive in hermetically sealed containers before being taken into the sealed plant building. So we can be confident from our experience that this is not an issue that will arise.

How many vehicles will be visiting the site each day once it is operational?

The number of HGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicles) will be minimal – typically three to five a day. A maximum number of 11 smaller vans or light goods vehicles would also deliver material and provide engineering support. This traffic would be spread throughout the day. We also anticipate 5-10 cars for our members of staff.

How will local residents be able to complain if vehicles operate outside of the agreed hours?

There is no reason why delivery vehicles would arrive outside normal working hours, unless in exceptional circumstances such delays caused by widespread traffic disruption.

How will you affect local air quality?

Monitoring equipment built into the plant will be approved and closely monitored by the Environment Agency. This will operate constantly to ensure the plant is operating cleanly and safely at all times.

While in our extensive experience it is extremely rare for it to happen, staff in the plant’s control room will be automatically alerted if emissions approach a certain level set by the Environment Agency. All operations would then stop until the cause of the unusually high levels have been identified and rectified.

As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment we prepare and submit to support the planning application, we will carry out a detailed assessment of the potential effects on air quality, looking at emissions from the stack, as well as vehicles visiting the facility.

Will the facility be noisy?

No. While the process uses mechanical machinery that inevitably makes some noise, the facility’s design means that almost all activity takes place indoors and therefore any noise impacts in the wider area will be insignificant.

We have carried out background noise monitoring and used that data to assess the potential effects on the nearest receptors to the site, in line with published standards and guidance. This information will be provided as part of the EIA Report that accompanies the planning application.

When would construction work take place?

If planning permission is granted, construction would take place during normal working hours, 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays. No activity would take place on Sunday or Bank Holidays.

Will there be jobs for local people at the plant once it is operational?

Yes, we expect there to be around 27 full-time jobs at the plant, a mix of skilled and non-skilled roles.

What sort of sub-contractors will you need?

We will be using a wide range of sub-contractors to help with everything from carrying out maintenance work to managing our recruitment and helping maintain the site grounds. For example, we expect to £10,000 to £15,000 a year on dry cleaning.