A new ‘energy park’ in Belvedere would be able to power some of the 30,000 new homes planned for Bexley, councillors have been told.

Cory Riverside Energy, which already operates a site in Norman Road, plans to build the new ‘green’ energy plant which will take in landfill and use it to create renewable energy.

According to the company, its Riverside Energy Park will take on 655,000 tonnes of landfill waste and use it to create energy, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 130,000 tonnes every year.

At a places scrutiny meeting, councillors were given an update on the proposals.

Andy Pike, from Cory, said: “With Bexley’s growth aspirations with 30,000 homes over the next 20 years or so, there would be enough heat to be provided by the riverside and the energy facility for that housing build.

“The energy park will generate more than we are currently, so you can see that we will be generating enough power for 150,000 homes or more.”

The plans are expected to be put to the planning inspectorate later this year.

The company said construction would begin in 2021, with the plant operational by 2025 if all goes to plan.

Councillors have concerns over the impact of the government’s proposed incineration tax, which could have “savage” results for the authority’s bank balance.

Cory told councillors the proposals are expected to work in the same way as the old landfill tax, meaning the authority would be charged for the waste it provides to the incinerator.

Councillor Gareth Bacon said: “In that case what preparation has the council made, what modelling has it done – we have a great deal with Cory in that we don’t have to put a minimum amount of tonnage in for incineration meaning we can maximise our recycling.

“If this was to be implemented by the government it could have a savagely bad effect on our bank balance.”

Cllr Peter Craske said the leader of the council had written to formally object to the tax, which is expected to be considered at the governement’s budget later this month.

“We are opposed to it, it go against all the things we have done and it would cost us a lot of money,” the councillor added.