FAQ: The Site

  • Have any other alternative sites been considered?

    Other sites were considered early in the feasibility process, however, the principal reason for selecting the site is that it is appropriately located within an existing industrial area with good access to the primary route network. Additionally it is in close proximity to energy intensive industrial customers and is relatively remote from residential properties.  No other viable site alternatives met all of these criteria. Furthermore, it is in an area that is not environmentally sensitive, with no statutory protected nature conservation, ancient woodlands or heritage sites within or in close proximity to the site. A belt of trees with new shrub and hedge planting will help screen the facility from view on the southern and western boundaries, alongside other industrial units, railway line, the Castle Bromwich Inn, the River Tame and the road network including the M6.

  • What do local planning policies say about the selected site?

    The site is compliant with the relevant saved policies in the adopted Unitary Development Plan, which makes provisions for developments that involve the management, treatment and processing of wastes within industrial areas and on previously developed land. In particular, the UDP expects that new energy from waste plants are located within existing industrial areas. The application site is located within an existing industrial estate in the urban area of Castle Bromwich, which is served by excellent transport links and therefore the site fulfils key planning requirements.

  • What size would it be?

    The Renewable Energy Centre main building will be approximately 82.3m long and 48.8m wide, with the highest point of the roof 23m above ground level. The Turbine Hall will measure approximately 20m long by 11m wide x 15.6m high and a Gatehouse 5.4m long x 5.4m wide x 4.3m high. There will be other structures and plant, which will generally be located adjacent to the main building.  The flue stack will measure 55m high.

    The size of the buildings is set into context against other buildings in the location.

  • What was the former use of the site?

    The site is located within the Fort Industrial Park, off Dunlop Way in the Castle Bromwich area of Birmingham. 

    The industrial park as a whole consists of 26 units that comprise single storey industrial/warehouse and trade counter buildings with internal offices, together with service yards and parking.

    The site itself is approximately 1.91ha and includes two single storey business, industrial and storage buildings containing nine separate units.  The units are surrounded by areas of hardstanding used for staff car parking.

  • Where is the plant application sited?

    The site is on available land at the Fort Industrial Park, off Dunlop Way, Castle Bromwich, B35 7RB.

  • Why has the Castle Bromwich site been selected?

    The site at Fort Parkway is located in an industrial area and large enough to accommodate the Renewable Energy Centre. This is in line with the saved policies of the adopted Birmingham Unitary Development Plan (2005), which makes provision for developments that involve the management, treatment and processing of wastes in industrial areas and previously developed land. 

    With regard to energy from waste plants these are expected to be located within existing industrial areas. The UDP sets out that the Council will adopt a sustainable approach to waste management which seeks to ensure that adequate facilities exist for the treatment and disposal of waste within the City, achieving the best balance of social, environmental and economic costs and benefits.  In this case, waste can be treated close to its origins, avoiding unnecessary transportation, and its position close to main roads and motorways means that that associated traffic will not need to run close to or through residential areas. Castle Bromwich is also close to local businesses, industrial and commercial companies with potential to become customers for the heat or energy.