Viridor wins approval to extend Pilsworth landfill site

THE PFI consortium running Greater Manchester’s waste disposal operations has won planning permission to extend an existing landfill site at Pilsworth South.

The firm gained approval from Bury Council’s Planning Control committee on Tuesday to extend the landfill site both vertically and laterally, allowing it to store a further 1.8m cubic feet of non-recyclable waste.

Viridor Laing said the decision would extend the life of the landfill site by a further 4.5-5 years. The site also generates a around 3.5MW of power per year through methane gas capture.

It also said that a long-term plan will see the site eventually restored into an attractive area for recreational use which will also promote wildlife corridors.

Peter Wishart, Viridor’s planning advisor, said: “We are obviously very pleased with the decision of the Bury Planning Control Committee which has shown unanimous support for the proposals which conform to development plan policies.

“Pilsworth South landfill is operated by Viridor to the highest standards and will now continue to provide a viable waste solution for Greater Manchester’s non-recyclable waste.“