The application was made by Medworth CHP Limited, part of the MVV Energie AG group, which operates other facilities in Plymouth, Dundee and Kent in the UK, and Mannheim in Germany.

The application sought consent for an energy from waste facility, generating electricity and steam, on land at Algores Way, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The facility will have the capacity to process upto 625,000 tonnes of residual waste per annum, and will have a generating capacity of over 50 megawatts. The facility will be able to supply heat and power to commercial enterprises in the Wisbech area; in this regard CHP is a core element of the offer at other group facilities.

The application was opposed by various public authorities, including Wisbech Town Council, Fenland District Council and Norfolk County Council. Local MPs Stephen Barclay and Liz Truss also objected to the project.

In determining to grant development consent, the Secretary of State accepted the Examining Authority’s recommendation and endorsed the Authority’s conclusions as regards key issues. In particular, she attached very great positive weight to the principle of the development, and accepted the approach adopted by the applicant in relation to the scope of its Fuel Availability Assessment, concluding that it was compliant with the proximity principle.

Ultimately, the Secretary of State found that the facility would make a positive contribution to addressing the urgent need for new nationally significant electricity generating infrastructure.

Alexander Booth KC promoted the project at Examination, instructed by Pinsent Masons on behalf of Medworth CHP Ltd.