Nottingham’s district heat network, the oldest and largest in the country, is currently powered by the burning of 186,000 tonnes of household waste at the Eastcroft Incinerator.
The high-pressure steam that results from the burning waste is then turned into electricity and hot water at the London Road Heat Station, which are sent out to 5,000 homes and more than 100 businesses via 90 km of pipes under the city.
A mere three per cent of all domestic energy comes from district heating networks; however, the Labour Government wants to increase this to 20 per cent by 2050 under its plans to move towards more sustainable energy.
Earlier this year, an extensive report regarding the network’s future expansion revealed that some of the main sites that could easily be linked include the Broad Marsh area, where new homes are planned, as well as the Trent Basin estate in the Waterside regeneration zone.
At a planning committee meeting on Wednesday (22 July), councillors approved the building of a new bridge for pipes and wires, running over the railway and parallel to London Road, to increase capacity for the future expansion to these areas.
“Securing the continued operation and future expansion of Nottingham’s district heating network is a great public benefit,” one of the council’s planning officers said.
The new pipe gantry will replace the existing one that runs close to the bridge over the Nottingham–Newark railway and will be taller to allow for the potential electrification of the tracks in the future.
It will be clearly visible at the side of the bridge, and the gantry will feature a walkway for improved maintenance access, which the current structure does not have.
Its size has prompted some concern from the Nottingham Civic Society.
Ian Wells, of the Civic Society, said after the decision was made: “[The gantry] has become very visible, unfortunately.
“There were concerns about it blocking a viewing corridor to St Mary’s [Church, on High Pavement] in particular.
“The viewing corridors are very precious, demonstrating what Nottingham’s history is. It is very sad.
“We understand there might be problems in locating it anywhere else, but it is very sad that more of the historic city is being eroded in that way.
“The views into the city are very important.”
Regarding the concerns, the council’s planning officer said in the meeting: “The proposed scheme would result in some harm to St Mary’s Church, particularly from parts of London Road Bridge.
“Nottingham Civic Society also raised concerns about this issue. That harm has been assessed as less than substantial to the significance of the heritage assets.”
He explained that the district heat network was a significantly important energy asset, particularly in reducing carbon emissions.
Nottingham’s district heating network dates back to the 1970s.
The original heating network was established as a joint venture between British Coal and Nottingham Corporation (which preceded the city council) in the early 1970s.
In 1995, following the collapse of British Coal, it was transferred to Nottingham City Council, where it began operating as an arm’s-length management company called EnviroEnergy (Nottingham) Ltd.
The council assumed full control of the network in 2022.
Under possible expansion plans, the network could more than double in capacity, but such a feat requires tens of millions of pounds of investment.
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By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter