FAQ: The Site

  • Have any other alternative sites been considered?

    No, as the site is appropriately located within an industrial area and is relatively remote from residential properties. It is in an area that is not environmentally sensitive, with no statutory protected nature conservation or heritage sites within or in close proximity to the site. A belt of trees will help screen the facility from view, alongside other industrial units, railway line, the River Tame and the road network including the M42. The site’s proximity to the road network is one of the main reasons for selection as well as the neighbouring industrial units, which could potentially be recipients of the generated heat and/or electricity.

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

    The site is compliant with the Waste Core Strategy, which makes provisions for non-allocated (or new) sites for waste treatment provided they are for energy from waste, and set in industrial areas close to key settlements. Coleshill is a key settlement and with excellent transport links, industrial processes nearby and in an industrial location, the site fulfils key planning requirements.

  • What size would it be?

    The Renewable Energy Centre main building will be approximately 88m long and 73m wide, with the highest point of the roof 24m above ground level. The Turbine Hall will measure approximately 30m long by 15m wide x 15.6m high and a Gatehouse 5m long x 3m wide x 3m high.  There will be other structures and plant, which will generally be located adjacent to the main building.  The flue stack will measure 52m high. 

  • What was the former use of the site?

    The site was previously part of the Hams Hall power station and has more recently been part of a substantial electrical sub-station. It is currently being used for vehicle storage.

  • Where is the plant application sited?

    The site is on available land at the Hams Hall Distribution Centre, off Faraday Avenue in Coleshill, Warwickshire B46 1AQ.

  • Why has the Hams Hall site been selected?

    The site at Hams Hall is located in an industrial area and large enough to accommodate the Renewable Energy Centre. This is in line with the Waste Core Strategy (2013), which makes provision for locations for energy from waste facilities on non-allocated sites that are within industrial land, previously developed or close to key settlements. The Strategy sets out that strategic waste facilities should be sited close (within 5km) of the urban centres of Nuneaton, Rugby, Bedworth, Coventry, Kenilworth, Warwick/Leamington and Stratford, or close to Atherstone, Coleshill or Southam, if it can be demonstrated that there are significant transport, operational or environmental 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. Hams Hall is also close to industrial and commercial companies with potential to become customers for the heat or energy.