Suffolk EfW Community Liaison Group Minutes. Great Blakenham Village Hall Tuesday 31 January pm-8.30pm

Transcription

1 Suffolk EfW Community Liaison Group Minutes Great Blakenham Village Hall Tuesday 31 January pm-8.30pm Attendance: Cllr Michael Blakenham (MB), Mid-Suffolk District Council Shirley Fairburn, (SF) Gt Blakenham Parish Council Cllr John Field, (JF) Chair Simon Harding (SH), Bury St Edmunds resident Trevor Messenger, (TM), resident Penny Pearson, resident Munaver Wagstaff, resident Kevin Welsby (KW), Bramford Parish Council Observers: Cllr Lisa Chambers (LC), Suffolk County Council Bryn Griffiths (BG), Suffolk County Council Manda Henry (MH), Suffolk County Council Cliff Matthews (CM), SITA UK Russ Morgan (RM), SITA UK Emma Smyth, (ES), SITA UK Anthony Durston (AD), SITA UK (minutes) Apologies: Cllr Roy Barker (RB), Mid Suffolk District Council Desma Girling, (DG), resident Mr Derek Lockwood, resident (DL) Sophie Meudec, resident Chris Studd, (CS), Claydon Parish Council Additional construction project attendees: Jean-Claude Sartenaer, SITA UK Pierre Goud, SITA UK Eamon Curran, Lagan Construction Gareth Rooney, Lagan Construction Thiebaut Legrand, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT Remy Godefroy, CNIM 1

2 Discussion 1. Members of the construction team were welcomed to the group. Actions 2. Minutes and actions from the last meeting Trevor Messenger s name had been missed off the draft minutes. BG said that at the next meeting at the request of the Chair there would be a briefing on truck movements arising from Suffolk County Council s waste activities in Great Blakenham. MH to send transfer station report. KW hadn t received a copy. AD BG MH The issue of the amount of site lighting during construction was picked up. This had been a query at the previous meeting. Lighting during construction ES provided an update. The lighting scheme will be low level and designed to reduce spill into adjacent areas. The lighting scheme has been checked and approved by the local authority. Trees on the boundary of the site (particularly the north west of the site) will also help to reduce light pollution. ES to provide a report to the group and also provide the relevant text from the planning application. MB was particularly interested in the exact location of lights on site. ES Noise from air cooled condensers At the last meeting PP asked how much noise would be produced by the air cooled condensers (ACCs) on site. CM said that the noise generated by the ACCs had been included in the analysis of the site undertaken by Walker Beak Mason. This had required specific attention to the noise attenuation of the air cooled condensors. The assessment shows that at Chapel Lane (where the closest neighbours live) there would be no noticeable impact. Noise levels will continue to be monitored at homes and other points where people could be affected. ES added that the company would need to adhere to a strict noise monitoring regime, the results of which would be regularly submitted to Suffolk County Council. 2

3 3. Project Update CM provided an update on what s happening at the Suffolk EfW site. Around 12 cabins will be located to the left of the entrance on site. Main activities to date have been: Analysis and management of contaminated land. Archaeological investigations Tree survey Ecological survey for wildlife Core soil samples have been taken from the site to check the site conditions. Contractors have now marked out the boundary, beyond which, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must be worn at all times. Signage has also been erected on site relating to site safety procedures. An asbestos survey has also been completed. Contractors are now gearing up for demolition. CM A discussion followed about the asbestos contractor. CM to provide details of the methodology for asbestos removal to MW and update the next meeting. Time-lapse cameras Two time-lapse cameras have been installed, which will provide a complete record of the construction. Members of the community can view images at There is one view from the north east corner with a view down Lodge Lane, which can provide a record of traffic movements on Lodge Lane. Twitter feed There is also a Twitter feed - providing updates on how the project is progressing. The feed is maintained by Cliff Matthews and provides real-time information on how the project is progressing. After one month there are already over 40 followers and the Twitter feed will be advertised in the parish council newsletters. CM also reported that he has been visiting local residents and businesses, explaining what is happening with the construction project and providing personal contact details if there are any issues. 3

4 KW asked if there had been any issues of interest from the ground survey. CM said that reports had been issued to the Environment Agency, but nothing of concern had been found. PP asked about weekend working. GR said there were no plans for work to take place on weekends, although the option is there if it is needed. 4. Presentation by Jean-Claude Sartenaer (Construction Director, SITA UK) JCS provided a brief introduction to the attendees from CNIM, Lagan and SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT (SITA UK s parent company) and provided an overview of the construction programme. CNIM is the contractor that will provide the specialist equipment for the energy-from-waste facility. CNIM has developed around 250 incineration lines. Lagan are providing all the civils works for the project. This includes the foundations and architectural finishes. CNIM and Lagan have formed a joint venture for this project. Lagan s initial focus is the safe removal of asbestos and contaminated material from the site plus the demolition of all existing structures. Where possible, Lagan will reuse material for the construction. This reduces the amount of material that has to be taken off site and disposed of. Major excavation at the site will take place in late February and early March with piling works taking place throughout March to a depth of 12 metres. MB asked if the architect Grimshaw still has a role in the project. CM said that Grimshaw still has an important role in working with SITA UK and its contractors to develop the detailed design for the project. Other issues: SM requested an update on the distribution of heat from the facility. CM said that a great deal of work is being carried out to get a viable scheme off the ground. CM explained that there is a minor hub of heat users in Great Blakenham but the majority of demand is in Noth 4

5 Ipswich (White House Industrial Estate for example). CM has spoken to planners from Mid-Suffolk District Council as new housing developments are planned, which could potentially link in. CM said that SITA UK s sister company, Cofeley, (which is part of the GDF SUEZ Group) is developing a viable scheme. CM said that due to the rural nature of the site, greenhousing is considered to provide a good opportunity for heat. CM said that a meeting was due to take place the following week with MB and Steve Wright. CM said that one hectare of greenhousing would use one megawatt of heat from the energy-from-waste facility. In response to a question, CM explained that the total heat capacity of the EfW plant is 85 MW of heat. Any other business Somersham Tennis Courts PP asked if the floodlights that are being dismantled at the site could still be given to Somersham tennis club, rather than be disposed of. SCC confirmed this would still happen and Lagan offered to deliver them to the tennis club. Lorry sheeting SF thanked Cliff Matthews and Anthony Durston for the prompt and effective action taken by SITA and Lagan in tackling the issue of unsheeted lorries leaving site. SF also felt that the parish updates meant that residents were asking fewer questions and were more abreast of what s happening. Parish meetings SITA UK was asked to attend parish meetings to provide updates on the project. SITA UK was happy to accept the invitations. ES Great Blakenham village sign Work has been carried out to investigate how SITA UK could refresh the Great Blakenham village sign. Planning advice has been sought and a number of options can now be considered. SITA UK to update at next meeting. SITA Trust event 5

6 JF commented on the event held by SITA Trust, attended by 90 people. He considered it had been successful and was a positive meeting. Date of next meeting Tuesday 13 March