RCEP project gets green light
Hive Aggregates achieve planning consent for innovative fly-ash recycling project in Retford
HIVE Aggregates, part of the Hive Energy Group, have received planning permission for the Retford Circular Economy Project (RCEP) in East Midlands. The project will extract pulverized fuel ash (PFA) from a landfill site in Retford, to be used as a sustainable cement alternative.
The project will play an important role in combatting climate change as PFA extracted from the site will be used to decarbonize cement, saving close to one tonne of carbon for every tonne used in place of traditional cement.
Sourced from coal-fired power stations, pulverized fly ash has been safely used in UK construction for decades. Following the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar, the UK’s last coal-fired power station, the RCEP will provide a new source of PFA to the building products industry.
As well as producing a sustainable cement alternative, the project includes plans to restore the site – promoting biodiversity and natural landscapes. Progressive restoration, rewilding, and new habitats will begin to emerge after four to five years, replacing the current low-quality grazing land.
In addition to the environmental benefits of the RCEP, there will be a number of economic benefits, including £30 million worth of investment, the creation of up to 100 jobs, a ‘jobs for local people’ initiative, and a community benefit fund for local parish councils.
Hive Aggregates say they have received more than 150 letters of support for the project and following feedback instigated numerous positive changes to the plan, including providing additional management and mitigation measures, and significantly improving the restoration scheme.
Hugh Brennan, UK managing director at Hive Energy, said: ‘I am incredibly proud to see the RCEP moving forward. This carbon-saving project has the potential to bring numerous benefits to the local area and will hopefully instigate more positive change within the cement industry.
‘It has taken over four years of securing land, quality testing, extensive consultation with the local community and statutory consultees, extensive and ongoing environmental surveys, a very challenging and extended planning and permitting process, and dedication from a team of skilled professionals covering a wide variety of disciplines.’
