THE build of ‘one of the UK’s largest’ bioresource treatment centres in Glasgow has moved a step closer.
Glasgow City Council is to commence negotiations with Scottish Water on the sale of land and buildings at an 11 hectares site in Daldowie. The site has been identified by Scottish Water as the preferred location for the new multi-million-pound bioresource treatment centre.
The new facility would be a ‘major upgrade’ to existing treatment facilities, providing environmental benefits, improved efficiency, and reduced operating costs. The new facility will become a ‘critical’ component of Scottish Water’s national infrastructure – serving 40% of Scotland’s population.
The new treatment centre would treat waste to a higher standard than before allowing the processed material to be utilised as organic fertiliser under licence in line with environmental best practice supported by SEPA, and biogas will be produced as part of the process and then used to produce heat and electricity for the treatment process. In addition, any surplus biogas can be upgraded to biomethane for export to the national grid, reducing the need for fossil fuels.
The site – owned by the council – currently features a training centre and two semi-detached homes. The training centre will be vacated in advance of any sale, and the tenants of the properties have been successfully relocated to alternative housing.
The council also approved the disposal and beginning of negotiations for land and sites in Easterhouse and Ruchill, which will see a water vole sanctuary built and Wheatley Homes delivering 45 new homes.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, depute leader and convener for housing and development at Glasgow City Council, said, “The approvals made today mean that the creation of a bioresource treatment centre – which offers Glasgow a range of economic, environmental and social benefits – has moved a step closer. The approval of the land exchange in Easterhouse also means that 45 new homes will be built there, which is very welcome news for the area, as will be the creation of the water vole sanctuary, which will be yet another addition to the natural environment in this part of the city.”
