Planning Application.

In September 2010 Biffa lodged a planning application for this energy recovery facility with Staffordshire County Council, a copy of which is provided below in 4 key sections:

• The planning and sustainability statement which supports the planning application and considers the proposal in the context of the relevant planning policies and strategies, and other material considerations, including need and sustainability. It also provides details of the community involvement undertaken.

• The design and access statement. A statutorily required document to accompany a planning application and has been prepared to describe the architectural vision for the development of the ERF.

• The environmental statement which aims to provide an objective account of the possible significant environmental effects of the proposed development by setting out the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which has been undertaken. It is intended to provide Staffordshire County Council with sufficient information to determine the planning application having due regard to the protection of the local amenity and the environment as a whole.

• The non-technical summary which has been produced as a separate document to accompany the planning submission, being a mandatory part of the ES. This provides, in non-technical language, a brief summary of the likely significant effects that the proposed development would have on the environment.