A pioneering plastic recycling operation is planned for an Ancaster materials recovery facility.

But the venture at Wilsford Heath MRF is entirely dependant on New Earth Solutions (West) successfully securing planning and hazardous substances consent from Lincolnshire County Council to install a liquid natural gas (LNG) storage tank.

If it gets the go-ahead, another application will be submitted to extend and kit out an existing unit on the High Dike site to house the new operation.

A document supporting the application explains: "The LNG fuel will support a pioneering new recycling operation that allows the conversion of waste plastic film materials - a form of waste that is presently very difficult to recycle - into pelletised plastic products for use in manufacturing.

"The new internal plant will include a thermal drying machine.

"It has been identified that liquid natural gas is the most cost effective fuel for the drying machine.

"The use of alternative fuel types would therefore risk undermining the long term commercial viability of the new recycling operation.

"If hazardous substances consent for the proposed LNG storage tank cannot be obtained, the associated recycling operation will no longer be considered feasible and the project will be abandoned accordingly."

The proposed storage tank will store up to 32.6 tonnes of liquid natural gas. Four vaporisers, each with a small footprint but 7.6 metres tall, filling/transfer pipes, valves and a compressor will also be required.

"The proposal has been subject to a full risk assessment and there is no reason to believe that [it] will give rise to adverse environmental effects," adds the document.

The applications for hazardous substances consent for, and installation of, the LNG storage tank with ancillary ambient vaporisers, hardstanding, security fencing and landscaped earth bunding are currently out for consultation.