WORK has started on a major waste to energy plant in the region.

Leeming Biogas, a joint venture between developer JFS and Associates, and Iona Capital, is working on a food waste factory at Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire.

Supported by a major investment from Iona, bosses say it will convert food production waste into biomethane for Northern Gas Networks’ pipeline.

They added it will annually generate up to eight million cubic metres of biomethane, handling up to 80,000 tonnes of waste every year.

Matthew Flint, director of JFS and Associates, which is based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, said: “This project has been two years in the making.

“The multi-million investment from Iona is vital to enable this plant to benefit the local economy in Leeming Bar as well providing cost and environmental benefits for all the businesses involved.”

The plant is expected to open in September next year.

JFS owns and operates six anaerobic digestion plants in the North-East and Cumbria, with a further six projects at the planning stage.

Set up in 2011 by Mr Flint and Peter Johnson, it develops partnerships with landowners and farmers to provide energy support for farms and businesses across the North-East and beyond.