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More on KentOnline
An incinerator could become one of the largest in the country, putting out enough energy to power 50,000 homes.
Kent Enviropower, near Maidstone, wants to burn an extra 350,000 tonnes of waste a year at the Allington Integrated Waste Management Facility.
The facility, based at 20/20 Business Park since 2008, currently turns 500,000 tonnes of rubbish into energy each year.
FCC Environment, the parent company of Kent Enviropower, want to increase the output by 75%, turning Allington into one of the biggest sites of its kind in the country.
This Thursday marks the start of consultation events. Plans will be on display at St Nicholas Hall, Poplar Grove, from 2pm.
Gillian Sinclair, head of development, from FCC Environment said: "We’re proud of the work we currently do at the existing Allington Integrated Waste Management Facility. Extending the plant will allow us to meet a national need for low carbon energy, as well as diverting approximately a further 350,000 tonnes of waste away from landfill or export every year.
"We’re consulting at an early stage in scheme development because we want to gain valuable feedback which will help us prepare the design of our plans. We encourage as many people as possible to attend one of our upcoming public exhibitions to learn more about the scheme and share their views."
FCC Environment plans to develop its three existing waste processing lines and add a fourth line capable of burning 350,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste each year.
Given the size of proposal, FCC Environment is classifying the project as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
This means plans will bypass Maidstone Borough Council officers and instead go to the Planning Inspectorate.
The expansion would make Allington Integrated Waste Management Facility capable of creating more than 50MW of power each year - enough to power around 50,000 homes.
Don Carman Hall in Kiln Barn Road, Ditton, will host a consultation event on Sunday, November 3 from 12pm to 4pm.
A third event will be held at Aylesford Community Centre in Forstal Road on Monday between 3pm and 7pm.
