Your chance to find out about waste to energy

People living near the site of a proposed multi-million pound waste-fired energy plant on Severnside have been given an extra chance to let developers know their views about the scheme.

Recycling and waste company Sita UK wants to build what it calls a waste-to-energy facility on a 20-acre brownfield site next to the Seabank power station on Severn Road, between Avonmouth and Severn Beach.

If it gets the go-ahead from planners, it could create electricity by burning up to 400,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste a year, diverting it from landfill.

Sita is about to hold an exhibition at a series of venues in South Gloucestershire and Avonmouth to give people the chance to see the proposals, ask questions and make comments.

It had booked six halls and community centres for the exhibition, beginning on Tuesday, July 7.

Some worries about the scheme have already been raised by people concerned about the impact the complex would have on local residents, wildlife and roads.

Sita already operates plants in other parts of the country and wants to bring the technology to the South West for the first time.

It hopes to bring waste in by rail to reduce the number of lorries using local roads.

The company said the plant would take three years to build, providing work for 200 construction staff, and would eventually provide up to 60 full-time jobs.

It would also be capable of generating enough power for 50,000 homes.

But plans are in the early stages, with a formal application unlikely to be submitted before the autumn at the earliest.

The site chosen for the plant covers about 20 acres – eight hectares – which ICI had used as a fuel store.

Five of the public events to discuss the plans will run from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, with the first in Easter Compton village hall, Main Road, on July 7. It will be followed by exhibitions in Pilning Church Hall, July 8; Avonmouth Community Centre, July 9; Severn Beach Village Hall, July 10, and Hallen Village Hall and Recreation Centre, July 13. There will also be one in Almondsbury Church Hall, on Saturday, July 11, from 10.30am to 2pm.

Ben Heatley, spokesman for Sita, said: "We will have workshops on specific issues later and in the autumn will have more exhibitions to show the final design."