Veolia, on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is planning to develop a site for the disposal of all Hertfordshire’s domestic waste at Ratty’s Lane in Hoddesdon.

The firm gave a presentation to Broxbourne Council last week providing details of why it was needed, the way it would operate, the timescales for construction and the issues most likely to concern local residents.

HCC initially wanted a waste plant to deal with the county’s non-recyclable waste at New Barnfield in Welwyn Hatfield, however after a public inquiry, the Government concluded that this should not be permitted.

Therefore, attention has turned to a site on the Hoddesdon Business Park, adjacent to the current gas fired power station. It would have the capability to burn some 350,000 tonnes of waste every year from throughout Hertfordshire.

The presentation was requested by Broxbourne to provide all Councillors with first-hand information on the proposals. The primary issues covered related to lorry movements, visual impact, emissions and impacts on wildlife. A planning application is due to be submitted next month, with construction due to start next year. The goal is to have the plant operational by 2020.

Leader of the Borough Council, Councillor Mark Mills-Bishop said: “The Council is grateful to Veolia in presenting its proposals direct to local Borough Councillors. Before reaching any firm conclusions about the proposal, we will have to wait until the full details are made available to us when the planning application is submitted in October.

“However, based upon what I have seen so far, I have concerns about the sheer size of this building, which I understand would be much taller than the adjacent existing power station, and the volume of lorries which would be delivering rubbish to the site. Naturally we will need to take advice on these and other issues such as the potential effects of emissions on air quality and health, and on other environmental interests.”