DPP are preparing a joint planning application on behalf of Grundon Waste Management Ltd and SSE in order to deliver a laydown facility to support the storage and partial assembly of the SSE Slough Multifuel Combined Heat and Power Facility (‘Slough MCHP Facility’)at the Slough Trading Estate.

The Slough MCHP Facility is due to commence full construction in September 2021.When completed, the Slough MCHP Facility will be capable of handling around 450,000 tonnes of waste-derived fuels annually, diverting the waste away from landfill and instead using it as a valuable source of energy.

The laydown facility is required due to the logistics of constructing the Slough MCHP Facility as there is insufficient space at the construction site to store the material and to ensure that component parts are available when needed. Material for the construction project will be brought in the Country via the ports at Avonmouth or Portsmouth and will be stored and/or part assembled before being brought onto site. As such, the site at Beenham was identified by SSE as it is on route to the construction site from the arrival ports, has good access to the motorway and strategic highway network and is within a defined travel zone and is available with few sensitive nearby land uses.

DPP have provided strategic planning advice to SSE and Grundon Waste Management in advance of submitting a pre-application request to West Berkshire Council. Following a successful pre-application, DPP are currently working on a full planning submission for the laydown facility, which includes a sequential site assessment and careful consideration of the impact of the temporary facility on the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.