The Proposal
The BREP proposal is for an incinerator located between densely populated suburbs in Trafford and Salford. It would burn 200,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste wood, along with Solid Recovered Fuel (plastics etc.). The burn temperature would be 850°C and the resulting pollutants would pass through an outdated bag filtration system and then emitted from of a short chimney stack at 44.23m high.
Better technology for producing energy from waste exists, such as Plasma Gasification. We suggested this to Peel Energy and they rejected this technique, saying that it was ‘unproven technology’. However, Peel Environmental has recently announced new plans for a collaborative project with Waste2Tricity and other partners, to build a Plasma Gasification plant and they have now described this technology as ‘proven technology’.
Location
- On land which is partly located within an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), where the NO2 emissions limit is already exceeded
- Next to the busiest stretch of highway in Trafford
- Surrounded by residential areas of Davyhulme, Urmston, Flixton, Stretford and Eccles
- In the vicinity of more than 90 schools, with four directly adjacent to the motorway and downwind of the plant
- Within 600m, there are several sports facilities, including Salford Reds Rugby Club, David Lloyd Racquets and Health Club, PowerLeague Soccerdome and Chill Factore
- In an area which already has several new developments that will contribute to increasing local pollution levels:
|
Development |
Status |
Distance from BREP |
Comments |
|
Supermarket |
Approved |
830m |
Adjacent to AQMA |
|
Peel Hotel at J9 of M60 |
Approved |
2300m |
Adjacent to AQMA |
|
Methane Plant including Flare Stack and Biogas Engines |
Approved |
120m |
Adjacent to AQMA |
|
Office at J10 of M60 |
Approved |
880m |
Adjacent to AQMA |
|
Conference Centre |
Recently Operating |
1900m |
Adjacent to AQMA |
|
Papermill |
Recently Operating |
5000m |
|
|
Salford Reds Rugby Stadium |
Recently Operating |
300m |
Adjacent to AQMA |
|
850MW Gas fired turbine at Carrington Power Station |
Approved |
4200m |
Chimney
- Too Short – 44.23m Stack
- Comparable chimney at the biomass plant at Ince Marshes (planned by Peel) is 85m
- Simon Holbrook (EA – 12th June 2012) stated that the stack should ideally be 60-100m
- Height restriction due to City Airport, which Peel own
- No similar-sized biomass plants in the country have a chimney as short as BREP (All are at least 47% taller)
- Shorter chimney means the pollutants will be more concentrated in the local area
Air Pollution Emissions
- Plant will Pollute – Admitted by Peel and EA
- Particulate Matter
- NOx – Nitrogen Oxides / Nitrogen Dioxide
- VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds
- Dioxins
- Heavy Metals (including Arsenic)
- Carbon Dioxide (Greenhouse Gas)
Potential Health Effects
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Alzheimer’s
- Autism
- Heart Attacks
- Strokes
- Premature Deaths
Children are more susceptible to pollution as their lungs and immune systems are not fully developed.
Tiniest particles may be a threat as bad as asbestos.
Wood Dust is a Grade 1 carcinogen according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
BREP would burn at 850°C, which will be too low to destroy dioxins as stated by WHO. 1000°C or more is required.
Burning Biomass Produces 50% more Carbon Dioxide than Coal.
Burning Wood Produces 330% more Carbon Dioxide than burning Natural Gas.
Public Perception of Harm
Perceptions of harm can have a direct impact on the mental well-being and quality of life of local residents. Anxiety and Stress alone can have a very real effect on actual health of local residents.
Timeline of Events
July 2010 – Peel Energy proposes the Barton Renewable Energy Plant (BREP)
January 2011 – Environment Agency (EA) hold Public Consultation for Permit Application
November 2011 – Trafford Planning Committee unanimously voted against the application for BREP
May 2012 – Appeal Lodged by Peel Energy
June 2012 – Trafford Council Unanimously Pass a Motion asking Peel Energy to withdraw their Appeal
November 2012 – EA Permit issued 2 weeks prior to the Public Inquiry
November 2012 – Public Inquiry takes place
May 2013 – Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Conservative MP, Eric Pickles, Approves Planning Permission.
June 2013 – Trafford Council lodge an Appeal Against Eric Pickles’ decision with the High Court
February 2014 – High Court Hearing is held in Manchester
February 2014 – High Court Judge dismisses the High Court Appeal and grants planning permission for BREP
Conclusion
This plant has been rejected by the Local Residents, Local Councillors and MPs from all Political Persuasions, Trafford Council and Salford City Council and must NOT be built.