The Future is bright - Sustain Wiltshire

As we move into May, we reflect on a blur of activity in April. Much has progressed, but frustrations remain. With a project as ambitious as the Sustain Super-Midden, it is the nature of the beast.

What we can report is that our dual approach to negotiating with more than one manufacturer for the production of the positively pressured prototype greenhouse has been wise. Negotiations with DBS, who announced an eye-watering 230% increase in their quote, proved unproductive.

Running parallel with these talks, we have progressed discussions with Walli, the Chinese-based manufacturer, and are now in advanced negotiations with them on the detailed design of the greenhouse. We have also investigated the process involved in ordering what will be the first prototype. While this presents a number of challenges around logistics, import duties and visa restrictions, there is nothing insurmountable.

In other good news, we have made significant progress on the design of Solid Waste Anaerobic Treatment Cells (SWATC), which will generate gas from solid waste that will power electricity-generating engines. This has included a design workshop with our EA officer and, as a result, we are now working on the detailed construction design. With a fair wind behind us, we hope to start construction at the end of May - as soon as we have planning permission in place.

On that front, we have received a second site visit from the planning officer accompanied by three ecologists, who were given a full tour of the site. We are pleased to relay that they were impressed by the project.

Our only concern was that the ecologists appeared not to have read or reviewed the documents on the project shared prior to their visit. Could this be why they were mildly amused when we pointed out that the permission was due on 17th May? In fairness, it was a point that they took on board. We shall have to wait and see if this results in any meaningful action.

Looking forward, we are pleased to announce that CSLL have taken delivery of an electric materials handler which will work in the on-site waste processing plant. The is the first machine of its type in the South West, and marks a major step forward in our move away from fossil fuels.

Finally, this next week is set to be a momentous one as Sustain Wiltshire Operations CIC will commence trading and will begin to accumulate selected waste for the SWATC prototype.

The future is bright.

Until next time…

Nick Ash