NORTH Yorkshire’s first closed loop energy recycling venture is on a roll after planning permission was granted for its associated power plant.

North Yorkshire County Council this week granted approval for Knapton Green Energy, a 6,342 square metre facility to produce energy from non-recyclable waste.

The project is a joint venture between Tetragen, NCG Estates and local waste management company FD Todd & Sons, which will be providing the fuel through its latest company Allium Organics.

The new power plant is situated next to Knapton Quarry Landfill, which is entering the closure stage, meaning no more biodegradable waste can be deposited on site.

Allium, which is being spearheaded by Thirsk-businessman Richard Todd, is restoring the quarry using synthetic soil made from organic food waste.

The waste is turned into the soil substitute at the company’s In Vessel Composting Plant at Alne near York.

Once deposited at the quarry, the soil, which can only be used on non-agricultural land, will be planted with energy crops, which in turn will be harvested and fed into the Knapton power facility, and a smaller biomass plant at Alne.

Mr Todd said: “Nowadays most household black bin waste is incinerated and turned into energy, but this doesn’t work for wet organic waste.

“We’ve therefore created Allium Organics to address this problem and offer a full closed loop recycling solution, which is the first of its kind in the UK, specialising in In Vessel Composting, restoration of non-agricultural land with energy crops and energy production.

“We’ve already secured a number of contracts that will see us handling waste from across Yorkshire and beyond.

“Production of the compost will commence in early 2018, though we have already started restoration and planting at our Knapton Quarry site.

“We’re then expecting to recruit approximately 15 people over the coming months to support the company’s growth.”