Brunner Mond

Brunner Mond's application for a sustainable energy plant in Northwich was submitted to the Department for Energy and Climate Change in March 2010.

If built, the new plant will help to secure Brunner Mond's role as a major local employer. It will create 50 new jobs within the plant and about 350 jobs in related services as well as protecting the 500 people already employed in Northwich, along with about 4,000 in support industries.

Since announcing its intentions in October last year, Brunner Mond has organised exhibitions and distributed newsletters and leaflets to more than 12,000 households in the area to keep residents up to date with the development plans.

Brunner Mond says the plant would be a more efficient sustainable energy plant that will produce around a third of its business's heat energy from a sustainable fuel - a non-hazardous, solid biomass fuel made from pre-treated waste and some plant-derived material.

The submission of the application to DECC was outlined by Brunner Mond when the proposal was announced in October. Since then Brunner Mond and its advisers have been working on the extensive studies and consultation required for the environmental statement and application.

John Kerrigan, Brunner Mond's managing director, says a consultation survey with local residents following a recent exhibition about the firm's plans found:

• 83% found the exhibition very helpful
• 92% understood why Brunner Mond required the sustainable energy plant
• 80% has their questions in relation to the environmental impact answered
• 44% of people still had concerns about the use of road and rail to transport the fuel to the plant.

Kerrigan adds: "We are pleased with the outcome of the exhibition and have noted the views and concerns of those who attended. We will continue to engage with the community over the coming months.

"It is hoped that the decision from the Government will be made in the next 12 months. If the green light is given it is expected that construction will start in 2012 and the plant will be operational in 2014 or 2015. In the meantime, we will continue to talk to the local community and other interested parties about our proposals."