300 jobs in the pipeline for Walsall waste plant build
Work on a new multi-million pound waste and energy plant in Walsall which will create 300 jobs is poised to finally start next year, it has been revealed.
Plans for the BH Energy Gap plant, which would treat 300,000 tonnes of rubbish every year, were approved two years ago.
Now work is due to get under way at the site off Fryers Road near Bloxwich with the plant becoming operational within three years.
Fifty permanent posts will be created when the eight acre site near Beechdale is open, while 250 positions will be created while it is being built.
The development will see up to 300,000 tons of waste taken to the proposed processing centre every year, before being sorted and some of it turned into 'green energy'.
A statement on behalf of the company said: "BH EnergyGap with its contractors is now progressing the detailed design of what will truly be a state of the art facility.
"It has therefore sought the council's opinion in advance of submitting a new planning permission to Walsall Council that seeks to vary the 2013 permission and approve detailed design changes to suit operational requirements and ensure the plant complies with new environmental regulations.
"There is no change to the proposed use of the site, nor the type of materials to be treated, nor the number of traffic movements to and from the site.
"These were approved in the 2013 planning permission. The new application is restricted to seeking permission in relation to modifications to the design and layout.
"The plan is for construction to commence in 2016."
The company said the start date for construction is subject to approval of changes to the planning agreement with the council.
A string of public consultations were held for residents in Birchills-Leamore ward, attracting a mixed reaction from householders.
Concerns were raised regarding emissions and traffic generation from the site, and 11 letters of objection from residents and businesses were received.
Operations will be in a main process building which will include a tipping hall, waste processing hall, furnaces, boiler area, flue gas treatment area and turbine hall. Waste would be collected by companies and delivered to the site where it would be weighed and delivered to a tipping hall.
An 11,166 sq ft main building is planned for the site, which includes offices, a reception, meeting, conference and a total of 26 car parking spaces would also be created.
