Strict controls for waste plant

A WASTE company is pledging to attract up to 2 million investment into South Chailey to provide new business units and a state-of-the-art liquid waste treatment plant at Hamsey Brickworks.

This follows the decision of East Sussex County Council to give Lloyds Environmental Waste Management conditional planning permission to develop part of its 22-acre site.

The company still needs a consent to discharge waste from the Environment Agency and talks are progressing.

The county council, giving consent, said it was mindful of concerns expressed about possible pollution of the Bevern Stream and would be writing to the Environment Agency calling for strict controls.

Lloyds this week said the liquid treatment plant, one of the most advanced of its kind, would accept sewage, food and oily waste material.

Once treated, the plant would discharge crystal clear water into a pond located on the site before passing into the local stream. Waste material will be taken off site for disposal.

Hugh Neatherway, Lloyds technical compliance manager, said the technology involved would meet the highest levels of safety.

And he added: 'The plant incorporates a physical barrier which will be permanently present between the treatment and discharge areas.

'This will consist of a membrane bio-reactor which will prevent the passing through of any harmful bacteria and suspended solids, thus ensuring the maximum possible protection.

Up until now, liquid waste in the region has had to be transported to sites as far away as Southampton and Maidstone.

The new plant, added Lloyds, should therefore help reduce the distances and working hours of the company s lorries transporting waste to and from waste disposal sites.

Added the spokesman: 'The move looks set to be a huge boost to the local economy.

'It will not only provide investment and jobs, but will also equip the whole of Sussex with its first much needed liquid waste treatment facility.