‘Most advanced’ waste plant set for completion

A £15 million incinerator plant has moved closer to completion.

Work on a 75,000sq ft hazardous and clinical waste processing base, at Merchant Park, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is set to finish in the spring.

The site is being development managed by INDEV Projects on behalf of Fornax Environmental Solutions and Gresham House.

Officials say the site, said to be “one of the most advanced…facilities of its kind in Europe” will handle up to 10,500 tonnes of waste annually, transforming it into a low-carbon heat source for local businesses. 

They add it will create 17 jobs and contribute to a zero-carbon district heating scheme within Merchant Park.

Once operational, the site will process all types of clinical waste from hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics, GP surgeries and veterinary practices that cannot be sent to landfill, recycled or go to other types of energy-from-waste plants. 

It will also be used for hazardous waste, such as electrical items, DIY-related materials and certain beauty products.

Yorkshire-based Tate Consulting is overseeing mechanical and electrical design, with GMI Construction working as principal contractor.

Renewable heat specialist Nordheat will install the incinerator in a second phase of development, with the plant expected to open in 2026.

Ray Cavanagh, director at Tate Consulting, said: “This is the first thermal treatment project that we’ve worked on, but it’s a perfect fit for us because it plays to our strengths of adding value to pioneering and high-quality developments that are environmentally astute, highly sustainable and institutionally funded.

“We have designed and will be implementing solutions at every stage of the project spanning the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services, a highly advanced sprinkler system as well as integrating the site into a 5.6MW district heating system.”

Nick McTague, from INDEV Projects, which is a joint venture between Tate Group and Generate Real Estate, added: “Once complete, the facility will boast the latest energy-from-waste technology, which will be complemented by a wide range of green credentials.”

The development team also includes architects ASA, structural engineering practice Burrows Graham and quantity surveyor and employer’s agent KAM.

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