Approval Granted for Waste-to-Energy Plant

A facility designed to convert biodegradable waste into electricity and supply power to homes is slated for construction. BioConstruct NewEnergy, a Teesside-based company, announced that the plant, situated in Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, will process food waste and farmyard manure. This process will generate methane gas, which will then be purified for integration into the National Grid. Durham County Council’s planning committee gave its approval for the plans on Tuesday. Sedgefield Town Council expressed apprehension regarding the development’s potential effects on air quality and highway safety. Representatives for BioConstruct NewEnergy stated that the plant would not cause “noise or odour nuisance”. The Local Democracy Reporting Service indicated that construction is anticipated to span up to 14 months. Two substantial digester tanks are planned for construction as part of the facility. Annually, the plant will require 76,000 tonnes of feedstock, which will include maize, chicken and pig manure, as well as liquid and food waste syrups. In a statement, the town council declared: “Strong odours will detrimentally affect nearby residents and businesses.” However, the company behind the development asserted: “It will not result in a significant impact on the landscape or visual amenity.” They further added: “It will also not give rise to traffic issues of any significance.” The company additionally refuted claims that its proposals would harm the local ecology or impact on “features of archaeological importance”.