Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant
A 60MW Energy from Waste generating station providing electrical power to the grid and steam to the clients own chemical processes.
Key details
Project name
Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant
Client
Tata Chemicals Europe Ltd, Copenhagen Investment Partners (CIP)
Location
Lostock works, Northwich, Cheshire
Services provided
- Planning
- EIA
- Permitting
Challenge
RPS was asked to advise on the consenting strategy to deliver a 60MW Energy from Waste generating station on land at Lostock Works. RPS advised EoN and Tata Chemicals on the best way of securing a new power station to replace the existing, but now redundant, coal fired power station at Tata’s existing chemical works
The decision-making process was a complex one involving Section 36 of the Electricity Act. Unfortunately, the Local Planning Authority raised an in-principle objection this caused a Public Inquiry to be held.
Solution
RPS acted as planning consultant and lead EIA consultant for the client team, providing all topic authors for the ES. RPS represented the project at all meetings with the local planning authorities and key stakeholders.
We provided expert planning witnesses to give evidence at public inquiry, leading to consent being granted for the proposal.
We continue to work on the project to discharge conditions and, most recently, we have submitted a variation application under Section 36C of the Electricity Act to amend the consent to upgrade the power output. We are also working on smaller standalone applications currently being submitted to support the wider development, as well as various on-site surveys as part of the enabling works.