As previously reported, Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet approved the purchase and delivery of caddies to enable a roll-out of food waste collections from April 1, 2026, in order to meet statutory requirements.
The collections will take place weekly and take the number of bins for Warrington residents to three, or four if they subscribe to green bin collections.
Also previously reported, Severn Trent proposes to build an anaerobic digestion facility on a field adjacent to Highfield Road and junction 22 of the M6 in Winwick.
The scheme has received backlash from both local councillors and residents on issues including the smell and impact on a historic location.
Anaerobic digestion facilities break down organic waste to produce biogas, which can be used as a renewable energy resource.
Severn Trent says that the facility would be able to recycle up to 75,000 tonnes per year of separately collected food and organic waste, generating up to 7MWth of green gas for export to the national grid.
In a letter sent to Winwick Parish Council, Severn Trent said: “Specific HGV routing arrangements would be in place to ensure that vehicles accessing the plant only do so via the strategic road network, and not via smaller local roads.
“Existing vegetation around the site will be retained, with extensive additional landscape planting provided to increase visual screening of the site and provide significant biodiversity net gain.
“The scheduled monument, bowl barrow, in the southeastern corner of the site, which has suffered degradation due to agricultural activity in the past, will be protected, with a standoff from the development and a no planting zone.”
The site of the proposed plant (Image: Google Maps)
It also said: “The proposed facility is needed as new legislation has recently been implemented, which requires all local waste authorities in England to introduce separate collections for food waste at least weekly from March 2026.
“In addition, most businesses will be required to separate their food waste for separate collection from March 2025.
“Warrington Borough Council will be required to provide separate food waste collections in the near future.
“New anaerobic digestion capacity will be needed to treat the amount of food waste being collected and to manage it in the most sustainable manner.”
In a statement, Winwick Parish Council said: “We have received a letter from Severn Trent Green Power advising of a proposed development of an anaerobic digestion biogas plant in Winwick on Highfield Lane.
“At very short notice, Severn Trent has organised a ‘public event’ to take place at Winwick Leisure Centre in the main hall on Monday, January 27, between 2pm and 7pm.
“If permitted, this proposed development will affect everyone in the village and beyond. If you can, please attend the public event.
“Should anyone have any questions whatsoever, please contact Winwick Parish Council via winwickparishcouncil.org.uk/contact-us or email Cllr Stuart Mann on cllrstuart.mann@warrington.gov.uk.”