News

Turley secures planning permission to repower The Lycra Company’s (UK) Maydown site

We have helped to secure planning permission for a new energy system for The Lycra Company (UK) at their Maydown site.

Turley provided expert Planning and Strategic Communications services for the application, which was unanimously approved at Derry City & Strabane District Council’s (DCSDC) planning committee on Wednesday 6 March 2024.

The application sought to support the transition away from solid fuel power production with the installation of a Gas-Powered Energy Plant (GPEP) at its Maydown site. The multi-million-pound investment into the site will support the sustainability of the site and ensure that the site is future-proofed for years to come.

By transitioning their Maydown site from a solid fuel power plant to gas, The Lycra Company (UK) will remove the need for more than 45,000 tonnes of coal per year, signalling their strong commitment to creating a more sustainable global manufacturing footprint and supply chain.

The change in energy generation would see approximately 50,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ removed annually with the conversion to natural gas. This is equivalent to eliminating CO₂ emissions from over 10,000 homes in the Derry City & Strabane District Council area.

The Lycra Company’s (UK) Maydown site supports over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs in the North West region.

Commenting on the approval, Energy Manager at The Lycra Company (UK), Seamus Downey, stated that:

“I’m thrilled with the news that our application has been approved by Derry City & Strabane District Council. It’s a strong vote of confidence in the future of The Lycra Company (UK) in the region and will help support the company’s ‘Planet Agenda’ Sustainability framework, working to guide our evolution towards becoming ever more sustainable on a global scale. Following this approval, we aim to commence works in the coming weeks on-site.”

Nick Salt, Senior Planner added:

“We were thrilled to have been able to support our client The Lycra Company (UK) in securing the approval for their new GPEP system at DCSDC’s planning committee. The application is an important one for the Northwest region, not just in terms of supporting direct and indirect employment, but also in supporting the improvement of the environment in the area. With the new GPEP system in place, it will reduce nitrous oxide emissions by more than 60% compared to the existing boiler and will reduce sulphur dioxide emissions to zero, a reduction of over 400 tonnes of SO₂ emissions annually.”

19 March 2024