Our Proposals

Viridor’s plans have been developed in response to Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Councils’ request to identify an alternative, sustainable waste treatment option for residual household waste. 

Mechanical and Biological Treatment Facility

At the heart of Viridor’s proposals is the development of a new Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) waste facility at Lostock Gralam in Cheshire. 

The MBT facility will receive 200,000 tonnes of post-recycling residual waste produced by households across Cheshire every year.

The plant will recover the limited recyclable materials remaining in the waste and then manufacture a Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF).

Planning Permission for the original facility, treating 250,000 tonnes per annum was refused by the Cheshire East and Chester's Strategic Planning Committee in June 2010.

In August 2010, Viridor submitted a new planning application for the proposed MBT, scaling the facility down to treat 200,000 tonnes of waste per annum in line with Cheshire's waste needs. Viridor was granted planning permission for the revised application on 24 November 2010.

Thermal Power Plant

Maximising alternative transport options, the SRF will be transported by rail from the MBT facility to a purpose-built power station at Runcorn - the Runcorn power station is also being developed by Viridor in partnership with INEOS Chlor. 

This key facility has been granted planning permission and development has already begun.

The power station will receive all the fuel manufactured at the MBT and will be used to generate electricity and heat to help power the INEOS chemical works in Runcorn. 

INEOS sees this sustainable power option as being key to securing the future of long term chemical production at Runcorn.

Waste Transfer Stations

The plans will also see three new waste transfer stations constructed at Ellesmere Port, Macclesfield and Crewe.

The transfer stations will provide local based reception of household waste collected by the two local authorities.

Viridor will then transport the waste to the MBT plant at Lostock Gralam ensuring efficient transport logistics.

Visitor Centre

A dedicated visitor centre will be built at the site, providing an important environmental education facility for local school children and residents, and help support Cheshire's ongoing waste education programme.  

Proposed operational hours

The facility will be open to accept recyclate, waste and SRF deliveries between 0700 and 1930 Monday to Sunday, including Bank Holidays.

The processes within the MBT facility will operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Downloads

• Cheshire waste facility proposals