27 Feb Development Consent Granted for the Rivenhall IWMF and Energy Centre
February has brought a landmark moment for the Rivenhall Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) and Energy Centre. After years of planning, consultation, public examination and technical assessment, the project has officially been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. This important milestone marks the next phase in delivering a modern, efficient and sustainable waste-to-energy facility for Essex and the wider region.
As the project progresses through 2025, this decision provides clarity and confidence for local residents, partners, and stakeholders who have followed the journey of Rivenhall IWMF. Below, we take a closer look at what this decision means and what comes next for the development.
A Major Step Forward: Development Consent Granted
On 29th January 2025, the Secretary of State announced that the Rivenhall IWMF and Energy Centre application has been granted development consent. This approval covers the proposed extension to generating capacity, enabling a generating capacity of up to 65MW, along with associated development.
This advancement represents a significant upgrade in energy-generation capability, ensuring the facility can convert non-recyclable waste into low-carbon power efficiently and effectively. As demand for cleaner, more reliable energy continues to rise, the consent reinforces the growing role that energy-from-waste infrastructure plays in the UK’s energy resilience and net-zero ambitions.
A Rigorous Examination and Public Involvement
The application, submitted by Indaver Rivenhall Limited on 10th November 2023, was accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate on 8th December 2023. Over the months that followed, a thorough and structured examination process took place. This was designed to ensure transparency, accountability and meaningful community involvement.
Throughout the examination:
- Local communities, statutory consultees and interested parties were invited to submit evidence.
- The examining authority held issue-specific hearings, written consultations and open-floor sessions.
- All evidence and representations were carefully reviewed before forming a recommendation.
The final recommendation was issued to the Secretary of State on 2nd October 2024, concluding a process conducted within the strict statutory timescales set by the Planning Act 2008. Notably, this project became the 87th energy application out of 145 examined to date. Once again highlighting the Planning Inspectorate’s commitment to delivering timely decisions for nationally significant infrastructure.
Transparency and Access to Information
One of the core principles of the examination was ensuring that local people had full access to information about the project. The Planning Inspectorate published all relevant documents, including evidence submitted, the examining authority’s recommendation, and the Secretary of State’s final decision, on the National Infrastructure Planning website.
This ensures that:
- Residents can understand how conclusions were reached
- Stakeholders can follow the development’s progress
- The process remains open, fair and traceable
For those wishing to explore the full documentation, the entire decision package remains publicly accessible online, which you can find here.
What the Decision Means for the Rivenhall Community
The granting of development consent marks the beginning of the next chapter for the Rivenhall IWMF and Energy Centre. Over the coming months, preparatory activities will continue as the team progresses toward construction and operational phases in line with regulatory obligations.
Key benefits anticipated for the community include:
1. Reliable, Low-Carbon Energy Generation
With consent to generate up to 65MW, the Energy Centre will help supply electricity to the grid, supporting both local demand and the UK’s wider transition to cleaner energy sources.
2. Advanced Waste Management Infrastructure
The facility is designed to handle non-recyclable waste using modern, efficient processes, reducing reliance on landfill and cutting emissions associated with long-distance waste transport.
3. Investment and Local Economic Contribution
As the project moves forward, it is expected to support local employment opportunities, supply chain activity and investment within Essex.
4. Continued Community Dialogue
Engagement with the community remains a priority. The Rivenhall IWMF team will continue to provide updates, host forums and work collaboratively with local residents and authorities as construction progresses.
2025 and Beyond
With development consent secured, 2025 will be a pivotal year for the Rivenhall IWMF. The focus now shifts to detailed planning, project mobilisation and ensuring all environmental, technical and legal conditions set out in the development consent order are fully met.
As always, transparency and community engagement will remain central to the project’s approach. Regular updates will be shared throughout the year to keep residents, partners and stakeholders informed of progress.
We look forward to continuing our work with the local community as the Rivenhall IWMF and Energy Centre progresses. For further information, updates and ongoing developments, keep an eye on our news and events pages, plus:
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