One of three companies lining up to run waste plant has dropped out

THE OTHER FIRMS ARE STILL VYING TO FIX AND OPERATE THE CITY PLANT

- By ZENA HAWLEY

ONE of three companies selected to bid for the contract to bring the controversial Sinfin Waste Plant into use has withdrawn from the process.

In March, it was announced by Derby city and Derbyshire county councils had chosen three major waste management firms with a view to one of them fixing and operating the waste treatment centre.

Following a first stage selection process, Biffa, Thalia and Viridor were identified by the councils as the most suitably qualified companies to move forward to the competitive dialogue phase.

But now it has been revealed that Viridor has dropped out of the process.

Between March and September, the companies were due to take part in the competitive dialogue process - structured discussions designed to provide equal treatment of all the companies to clarify, specify and enhance their proposed solution to fix and operate the facility - before one of them is awarded the contract in December.

Commissioning of the new plant would start in June 2028 and first waste acceptance would be in November the same year and it is expected that commissioning and transition to normal operation would be completed by winter 2031.