The Colmenar Viejo Town Hall has granted the construction licence for a biowaste plant, backed by the European Union. The facility will process up to 75,000 tonnes annually and generate renewable energy.
The Colmenar Viejo Town Hall has awarded the construction licence for a biowaste treatment plant, a circular economy project that will convert organic waste into renewable energy. The decision, made by the Local Government Board, is based on nearly fifty favourable technical reports issued by officials from various public administrations.
The mayor of Colmenar Viejo, Carlos Blázquez, defended the granting of the licence as a legal obligation: “Our duty as representatives of all our neighbours is to comply with the Constitution and the legislation. If a private entity requests a construction licence and the reports are positive, we must grant the licence. Because if we do not, we are committing an actionable illegality before the courts.”
The plant, which has the support of the European Union, aligns with the principles of the circular economy and the production of clean energy. According to the project documentation, the maximum treatment capacity will be 75,000 tonnes per year, and no slurry or animal remains will be processed. The system will operate with closed circuits and sealed enclosures to prevent odour emissions.
One of the main innovations is that the old open leachate pond has been replaced, at the request of the governing team, with a closed and covered system that recirculates the content, eliminating any risk of leakage into the soil or aquifers. This measure responds to community and environmental demands raised during the public information process.
The administrative file has been processed in accordance with the legally established deadlines and procedures. The Town Hall has emphasised that, as long as the technical reports remain favourable and regulatory requirements are met, it is obliged to grant the licence, just as it would for any other project under similar circumstances. Acting otherwise, without legal justification, would constitute an arbitrary resolution.
The biowaste plant will be located on a plot within the municipality of Colmenar Viejo. The project has generated interest among residents, who have been able to consult all the documentation through the municipal website. The Town Hall has set up a specific link with public information about the project to ensure transparency in the process.
The facility will represent a step forward in waste management in the area, transforming biowaste into a valuable resource and reducing dependence on landfills. Additionally, the renewable energy generated can be integrated into the local electricity grid, contributing to the municipality's sustainability goals.
The mayor has insisted that the Town Hall has acted with rigor and transparency, and has reminded that all technical reports, both municipal and regional and national, have been favourable. “We cannot stop a project that complies with the law and provides environmental and energy benefits for Colmenar Viejo,” he concluded.
The next step will be the start of construction once the promoting company presents the executive project and obtains the necessary additional permits. The plant is expected to be operational within two years, generating employment during its construction and subsequent operation.
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