Centre will create new jobs and energy in Clay Cross

Derbyshire County Council has given Clay Cross Biomass Ltd permission to build the £50million facility off Bridge Street.

The centre will create up to 30 new jobs when it opens and also convert enough waste wood to power 18,000 homes.

A spokesman for Clay Cross Biomass Ltd said: “We are delighted to have received planning permission for this development.

“We will now be working with our partners on detailed project development for the financing, construction and operation of this facility which will help to create local employment, reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and contribute to tackling global environmental issues.

“Once commissioned, the facility is expected to create up to 30 new jobs and there will be about 150 to 200 jobs during the construction phase.

“It will convert around 80,000 tonnes of waste wood, currently sent to landfill, to generate up to 12 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 18,000 homes, plus 14 megawatts of thermal energy a year.”

In an objection letter, Clay Cross Parish Council said it had ‘grave reservations’ about the building and operation of the centre.

It voiced concerns about an increase in noise, extra traffic and possible contamination and said the facility would ‘add little to the regeneration of Clay Cross and the health and wellbeing of its residents’.