A state of the art £70m waste to energy facility which will have capacity to process all West Lothian’s commercial, industrial and municipal waste has taken a major step forward.

West Lothian Council has resolved to grant planning permission for Scotland’s largest anaerobic waste digestion (AD) facility.

Hamilton-based firm Banks Developments, in partnership with Scotwaste, West Lothian’s foremost recycling company, is leading the development of the Pond Green Energy Park, which is located south-west of Bathgate, near junction four of the M8.

The AD plant itself will be capable of handling around 105,000 tonnes of waste every year, with the wider facility, including a significant expansion of the existing Scotwaste recycling operations, expected to process a further 95,000 tonnes of waste per annum. At full capacity the plant will provide enough electricity to power over 7,000 homes and enough heat to serve the equivalent of over 9,000 homes.

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Banks has undertaken over two years of local consultation about the plans and the application was fully supported by all members of the West Lothian planning committee and was endorsed by Bathgate Community Council. Detailed assessment will now commence regarding a potential community heating system for local homes and businesses made possible by this decision.

Colin Anderson Managing Director of Banks Property Development Limited, said: “This decision is a landmark in the drive to deliver Scotland’s Zero Waste Strategy. Pond Green Energy Park provides West Lothian and the wider Central Belt with a local solution to its own waste, as well as delivering renewable energy to fuel businesses and homes, thereby supporting

economic growth. We hope to commence construction during 2011, with the facility coming on line in 2012.”

(GK)