Decision due on £230million energy plant expected to create 450 jobs in Hartlepool

How the Graythorp Energy Ltd plant could look

A decision is due to be made on plans for a £230million energy plant in Hartlepool expected to create up to 450 jobs.

Plans were initially submitted in 2019 by Graythorp Energy Ltd to build a combined heat and power plant on a 15-acre site at Tofts Road West, next to the Graythorp Industrial Estate south of Seaton Carew.

Proposals state the facility would represent a capital investment of circa £230 million during construction, with 450 construction phase jobs created.

Once operational, the applicant has advised the facility would create 40 new permanent full time jobs and estimates it would add £2.72 million to the local economy each year.

The centre would generate 49.5 megawatts of dependable electricity for the local grid, 50% of which will be classed as renewable, delivering the equivalent of the annual average consumption of more than 90,000 homes.

To date six objections have been received to the plans raising concerns over the negative impact it could have in the surrounding area, specifically Seaton Carew, on issues such as traffic and noise pollution.

The plans are due to go before Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee on Wednesday (July 8) for councillors to make a decision on the plans.

Ahead of the meeting councillors have been recommended to approve the plans by council planning officers.

A planning statement submitted by Axis Planning Consultant, on behalf of applicant Graythorp Energy, stated the development would benefit the area.

It said: “The proposal would simultaneously deliver economic, environmental and social benefits; and is thus demonstrably sustainable development

“The GEC [Graythorp Energy Centre] proposal would deliver significant economic benefits through the creation of direct employment, plus other secondary employment in maintenance projects etc throughout its life.

“It would provide a potential source of low carbon heat in a location where further employment growth is planned and represents a significant capital investment in the local area, plus subsequent investment through the life of the plant.

“The GEC offers an excellent opportunity to make a significant contribution towards addressing the acknowledged shortfall in waste recovery capacity within the UK.”

Bosses behind the plant say it would turn up to 550,000 tonnes of dry household and industrial waste a year that would otherwise go to landfill or be sent to Europe into enough electricity for more than 100,000 homes.

The facility is proposed to process waste and generate energy 24-hours a day, with the residual waste brought onto the site between 6am and 7pm, seven days a week.

Residents have been consulted on the plans and to date six objections have been lodged to the plans, along with two comments supporting the development.

Concerns raised include worries over noise pollution, foul odours from the site, an increase in traffic and a loss of natural views.

However bosses behind the plans previously reassured residents they will not hear or smell anything and traffic will not go past them.

Project leaders said it is the cleanest form of energy production after nuclear and uses tried and tested technology.

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