SUEZ begins engagement on plans to build an anaerobic digestion facility in West London
If approved, the facility would create reliable, renewable gas – enough to supply up to 8,200 homes – while reducing CO2 emissions and helping to improve the UK’s energy security by putting food that has been thrown away to good use.
The company is now beginning pre-application engagement with the local community and its representatives about the plans for the site, which was formerly a quarry and has since been used for recycling and waste management operations.
About the site
The site is located just off Holloway Lane, at Sipson, in West Drayton, UB7 0AE. It lies 1.2km to the north of Heathrow Airport, and just south of the M4 motorway.
The proposed anaerobic digestion facility would help ensure that food waste generated by homes and businesses in the West London area is processed in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
It would have the capacity to generate enough energy to supply gas for up to 8,200 homes by recycling up to 100,000 tonnes of food waste a year. If approved, construction would begin in 2026/27 with a view to being operational in 2027/28.
Community engagement
Before it submits a planning application later this year, SUEZ will engage for over six-weeks with local communities and their representatives to get feedback on the plans.
This includes distributing information leaflets to local households and businesses, inviting residents and local businesses to attend drop-in information sessions.
The engagement period runs from Tuesday 11 February 2025 to Monday 24 March 2025. It includes two community drop-in events being held at St Mary’s Church in Harmondsworth.
Thursday 06 March 2025 - 12pm to 8pm
Friday 07 March 2025 - 9am to 5pm
More detailed information is also available online at www.suez.co.uk/hollowaylane.
Tim Hughes, Project Development Manager at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said: “We are proposing to bring forward a planning application for an anaerobic digestion facility at our site on Holloway Lane and are currently in the very early stages of the process.
“We need alternative renewable energy sources to help respond to the climate emergency and rising energy costs. Anaerobic digestion is an excellent method of energy generation because it recycles food waste and generates reliable, renewable energy at the same time.
“Changes to Government policy around food waste collection and processing also mean that the Greater London area, just like the rest of the UK, is going to have to start processing its food waste and will therefore need a network of treatment facilities.
“We believe this site is an ideal location as it already has permission to operate recycling and waste management operations and it is well located for the M4, so trucks wouldn't need to travel through nearby residential areas in Sipson or Harmondsworth.
“Engaging with the local community is important to us and we’re looking forward to discussing the plans in more detail with people in the coming months and receiving their feedback.”
What happens next?
Once the pre-application engagement period is complete, SUEZ will consider the feedback alongside its wider plans as part of its proposal to submit a planning application to Hillingdon Council.