Energy giant looks to build 80,000 sq ft Bromborough plant

US-headquartered Covanta Energy wants to develop an aggregate processing facility on a landfill site at Bromborough Dock in Wirral, and has submitted an early-stage scoping application to the council.

Covanta provides energy-from-waste and industrial waste management services. The proposed facility on Dock Road South would specialise in manufacturing incinerator bottom ash aggregate, known as IBAA, from energy materials in order to recover the metals and other products used in the construction industry, according to the documents filed with Wirral Council.

IBAA is a product that minimises landfill and reduces the need to quarry new materials.

The almost 10-acre site at Bromborough Dock has been selected because of its proximity to a new energy recovery facility under construction at the nearby Protos advanced manufacturing park at Ellesmere Port, and because of its access to the wharf to import materials by ship, Covanta said.

The site is bounded to the north-west by the Dibbinsdale Brook, to the north-east by Mersey Wharf and the River Mersey beyond, and to the south-east by warehouses operated by Mersey Wharf.

Dock Road South forms the south-west boundary and is at this point a private road with gated access to United Utilities’ Bromborough wastewater treatment works.

The proposed development would span 80,720 sq ft plans, including the construction of a processing facility with an adjoining office, a covered storage area for processed materials awaiting collection, at least two stockpile areas and a laydown area to receive materials.

There would also be car parking and ancillary development including a rainwater tank, lighting, electrical and mechanical services, a weighbridge and security fencing.

A separate building may also be provided for an on-site laboratory and maintenance facility. At this stage, Covanta is applying to Wirral for a screening opinion for an environmental impact assessment of its plans, and further details would be unveiled in the coming months.

Subject to planning approval, construction would start next year for 12 months, Covanta said.

The company is being advised on the project by Mott Macdonald.