Sky Properties swaps resi for waste plant
After twice being knocked back for a housing development, Sky Properties is working up plans for a waste recovery and recycling plant in Salford.
In 2006, Sky was refused planning permission by the council for a residential scheme. Sky Properties appealed this decision but was again refused planning permission in 2007.
The developer now plans a facility that will treat and manage about 240,000 tonnes of local business waste each year via a combination of recycling suitable dry material, anaerobic digestion of waste food and other biodegradable waste and a gasification plant.
As part of the revision process, 130 residents of Monton, Salford, attended a meeting at the Monton House Hotel organised and hosted by developer Sky Properties. In addition, Salford MP Hazel Blears attended and agreed to support a new residents' liaison group of around 20 people who will represent the local community in its communication with Sky Properties.
The facility would incorporate gasification technology devised by Energos, a division of Salford-based ENER-G.
Green Lane Eco Park could generate sufficient electricity to power 15,000 homes and heat that could be used by local industry and create 50 full-time jobs.
The meeting agreed that a 20-strong community liaison group of residents will be formed to ensure direct communication between Sky Properties and local people to ensure their views are heard and addressed. The event followed a three-day public exhibition of the plans organised by Sky Properties and leafleting of almost 1,000 residents.
The Green Lane site has been designated for industrial use in Salford City Council planning policy and is listed as a site suitable for waste management in the emerging GMWDA proposed plan.
Residents' concerns over traffic were addressed at the meeting. Anthony Hirsch of Sky Properties reminded residents that the site was designated for development and that traffic would increase irrespective of whatever scheme was proposed. All other options except the Eco Park will lead to more vehicle movements on local roads.
