M5 energy plant to go ahead as council's decision overturned
Controversial plans to build an energy plant overlooking the M5 have been given the green light after a successful appeal.
Sandwell Council’s planning committee had thrown out Verus Oak Energy’s scheme for a 10,000sq m facility at Giffards Recycling, off Kelvin Way in West Bromwich, over fears of noise and air pollution.
The plans promise to convert 400,000 tons of waste into electricity to power 70,000 homes a year.
But just over a year later, the planning inspectorate has granted approval for the scheme, after the firm appealed the decision.
Government planning inspector Elizabeth Hill addressed the council’s concerns in her report but said the appeal should be allowed.
She said noise levels at night would meet the standard required and also the levels, which are required by the World Health Organisation for the prevention of sleep disturbance.
She added that any noise in the evenings would also have “no observed effect on health and the quality of life”.
Addressing the pollution concerns she said: "The proposal incorporates electric charging points for vehicles, reducing carbon emissions.
"Although the proposal would not use rail or water to bring in the feedstock, the additional traffic to the proposal, as set out above, is only a small increase to overall traffic in the area.
"In terms of dust, the process would take place within a building, controlling dust emissions."
Ms Hill added: “The site would represent a significant capital investment in the local economy of about £150 million and would create 41 new skilled jobs, as well as between 100 to 200 temporary jobs during construction, with significant new spending power in the local economy.”
Opponents collected a 500 signature petition and won the backing of the MP for West Bromwich East, Tom Watson.
