Plans have been submitted for a waste-to-energy plant between Croydon and Sutton, which would bring nearly 70 jobs to the area.

SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK has submitted plans to build an 'anaerobic digestion facility' on Beddington Lane to Sutton Council.

If approved, building work would begin later this year, creating around 40 temporary jobs for construction, and then a further 21 permanent jobs when the facility is up and running.

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The facility would use food waste which has been thrown away by homes and businesses, process it in the most environmentally-friendly way possible, and create renewable gas for up to 8,200 homes.

This would support the UK’s energy security as well as reduce CO2 emissions.  

SUEZ already has planning permission for a waste transfer and processing facility on the site, but is now proposing to develop the anaerobic digestion facility in response to government policy that will see food waste collected separately from homes and business by March 2025.

The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, if plans are approved.

SUEZ carried out the South London Waste Plan in summer 2023, allowing local communities to share information about the plans for the disused site. 

Tim Hughes, project development manager at SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, said: “We have now submitted our plans for a new anaerobic digestion facility to help create renewable energy and deal with up to 100,000 tonnes a year of food waste from homes and businesses in London.

“We need alternative renewable energy sources to help respond to the climate emergency and rising energy costs and anaerobic digestion is an excellent way to generate energy through the recycling of food waste.

“We believe this is a suitable location as the site is already earmarked for a waste treatment facility, with planning permission for a different type of waste facility that would deal with more than three times more waste than we are now proposing to manage here with this new proposed scheme.”