THE design of a proposed £300million energy recovery centre to keep millions of black bin bags and their contents out of landfill tips has been changed to blend in with surrounding moorland scenery.

The planning application for the scheme was submitted by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK at the weekend, for its site in Lower Eccleshill Road, Darwen.

Following a public consultation, the company has decided to alter the roof profile of the main building to a more curved shape and to change its colour scheme to greens and greys so it will blend in better with the surrounding moorland.

The application to Blackburn with Darwen Council, to be considered by councillors in August, includes pollution assessments which show its effect on air quality would be negligible.

A transport study suggests extra heavy lorry traffic would avoid rush hours and not require road changes.

The new centre, which will create 50 jobs at the firm’s current waste transfer site, would process 500,000 tonnes of waste each year, equivalent to 70m full black bin bags, which now go to SUEZ’s tip in Whinney Hill.

The plant, due to come on stream in 2024, would turn non-recyclable rubbish into steam for local firms and enough electricity to power 60,000 homes.

Gary Mayson, SUEZ’s chief officer for energy, said: “We have been encouraged by the enthusiasm for the project and the quality jobs it will bring. We have also listened to those who had concerns and adjusted aspects of our application accordingly. For example, we have introduced a curve to the roof and changed the colour palette of the building so that it more closely reflects the topography of the moorland backdrop.”

Darwen East Lib Dem, Cllr Roy Davies, said: “Anything which helps the new plant blend in with the local scenery is welcome. I remain very concerned about the traffic and air pollution impact on local roads and people, from an extra 140 lorries a day using the site.”

Cllr Phil Riley, council regeneration boss, said: “This is a great project which will make a significant contribution to tackling the growing climate crisis.”

He added: “The details will be thoroughly tested by the planning process. The change to the design shows they are listening.”

The company’s office will remain at the site should the proposal go ahead and the transfer station and Terracycle operations would be re-located in or near Darwen.

The plant would filter out any pollutants from the incinerated waste before emissions from a 90-metre chimney stack.