THE next stage in the construction of the controversial Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant (LSEP) will begin on Monday (September 20).

Located at the Lostock Works, once built and operational LSEP hopes to burn at least 600,000 tonnes of residual waste every year.

The plans have met with strong opposition along the way, coming under fire to burn even more waste, with a figure of 728,000 tonnes being proposed.

From Monday, the construction of the site will enter its second phase of piling - a process which consists of foundations that are driven or bored through the ground at certain lengths, in order to support the weight of a heavy structure that will sit above it.

In an effort to reduce the impact of these works on the local community, EPC Contractor, CNIM, is implementing a piling process which is virtually vibration free and dramatically reduces the level of noise created, by using Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles.

CFA piles are formed by drilling into the ground to the required depth using a flight auger – a large corkscrew-like drill – at which point concrete is pumped down into the hole and the auger is steadily withdrawn.

Reinforcement is then placed into the fluid concrete, immediately after the auger is withdrawn. This process removes the need for the use of a piling hammer to drive the piles into the ground, dramatically reducing the level of noise and vibration generated.

The piling works are due to be completed by Spring 2022, with the overall completion of the site expected the year after.

CNIM Project Director, Xavier Jacquemont, said: "We are pleased to be moving into this important stage of the construction programme.

"However, we also want to make sure we continue to be a good neighbour to the local residents and community members.

It is therefore important for us to do everything we can to make sure that construction has as little impact on local residents as possible, so we are happy to be using this process, which is considered to be the quietest method of piling, available."

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