Appeal launched to overturn planning decision on M5 power plant
An appeal has been launched to overturn a council’s decision to reject controversial plans to build an energy recovery facility overlooking the M5 in West Bromwich.
Sandwell Council had last year rejected the proposals to build the 10,000sq m facility Giffards Recycling, off Kelvin Way, due to fears over noise and air pollution.
Concerns had also been raised over the pedestrian crossing due to be installed because of increased traffic not meeting the needs of elderly residents.
The plans had promised to convert 400,000 tons of waste into electricity to power 70,000 homes a year.
But applicant Verus Oak Energy has now lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate to try and overturn the decision.
A petition against the scheme previously attracted more than 500 signatures, while the Labour party’s deputy leader and MP for West Bromwich East, Tom Watson, wrote a letter of objection to the council on behalf of his constituents. The letter cited concerns related to the traffic impact of the facility, as well as its visual impact due to its size and the building design also being out of character with the area.
A design statement submitted with the application said the site would operate 24/7 but that waste deliveries from lorries would be restricted to between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and 7pm and 1pm on Saturdays.
There would be no deliveries on Sundays, it added. A total of 168 vehicles would enter and leave the site every weekday, according to the plans.
An appeal statement said: "It is clear that the proposal for an energy recovery facility would not cause harm to residential amenity by virtue of night time noise nor would it cause harm to pedestrian safety. There is less than substantial harm to the setting of a heritage asset at Chance Glassworks and this is outweighed by the substantial public benefits of the proposal.
"It is considered that the refusal of planning permission has been unreasonable and the appeal process has put the appellant to unnecessary expense."
A planning inspectorate spokesman said: "We can confirm a valid appeal was submitted and started. Parties to the appeal have sent their comments to the inspector who is giving full consideration to them.
"The inspector will visit the site in due course and a decision can be expected towards the end of the summer.”
Verus Oak Energy has been approached for comment.
