Landfill Extension Approved in Bury

26 April 2011 Viridor's application for a vertical and lateral extension, within the existing permitted site boundaries, at the Pilsworth South landfill site has been unanimously approved by Bury Council's Planning Control Committee. Pilsworth South is an important strategic minerals and waste disposal site serving Bury and the wider Greater Manchester area. In order to continue to provide non-hazardous waste disposal the company says that the additional capacity is required at the site to meet an identified need. The landfill is currently identified in the Draft Greater Manchester Waste Development Plan Document (DPD) as a future strategic waste disposal site to serve the Greater Manchester area. According to Viridor the approval will see the modification of the existing planning consent at the site to accommodate an additional 1.8 million cubic metres of landfill capacity, which is required to provide a disposal route for non- recyclable residual waste. The operational lifespan of the site will be extended by approximately 4.5 to 5 years based on an agreed throughput as controlled by the site's Environmental Permit. In addition, the company says that as part of an enhanced long-term restoration plan, the site will be restored into an attractive area for informal recreational use, with ecological enhancements to promote habitats and wildlife corridors. Local environmental groups, including Red Rose Forest, will participate to ensure the restoration reflects the South Pennines backdrop. Through capture of methane gas, the site currently supplies 3.5 MW of electricity to the national grid. As part of the approved proposals, Viridor has also agreed to financially contribute to determine the business case for a heat pipe line running into the town centre. Peter Wishart, Viridor's Planning Advisor said: "We are obviously very pleased with the decision of the Bury Planning Control Committee which has shown unanimous support for the proposals which conform to development plan policies. Pilsworth South landfill is operated by Viridor to the highest standards and will now continue to provide a viable waste solution for Greater Manchester's non-recyclable waste."