Our commitment to the community

We strive to make a positive impact wherever we can. We embrace our responsibilities towards the local community and there are a number of ways in which we support and engage with people and organisations nearby.

 

We are proud to support the local economy through direct employment opportunities and supplier relationships. We put in place a Local Employment Plan at the outset. The facility employs over 50 people, many of whom live locally. Wherever possible, we also use local suppliers of services and materials.

 

But we go further than that, supporting local community causes through the Rookery South Community Trust Fund and contributing to tree-planting in local woodlands via the Forsest of Marston Vale Trust and the Millennium Country Park. We have established a public footpath in the scenic area around the site and are helping eligible households with their bills through our Energy Initiative, as well as engaging directly with residents via our Community Liaison Panel.

Visitor centre

A hands-on experience of Energy-from-Waste

Our interactive visitor centre aims to help groups of children and interested adults understand how the facility works in terms of sustainable waste management, energy recovery and the circular economy. You can test your own ability as a crane driver in our “waste bunker and crane” unit, or obtain the perfect combustion at our “energy recovery" phase.

 

In addition to the fully-equipped exhibition and learning hub, we also offer plant tours to students aged 8 and over (supervision required). This enables students to appreciate the scale of the facility.

Enquire about booking a visit

Rookery South Community Trust Fund

The community trust fund set up by Rookery South provides local not-for-profit organisations with grant funding for important projects. In its first year of operation, the company donated almost £200,000 to local projects. This included funding for improvements to play equipment, community landmarks, schools, church buildings and support groups.

 

We are committed to making around £75,000 available every year (linked to the Retail Price Index) over a period of 25 years, or until the closure of the facility if sooner.

 

We welcome grant applications from not-for-profit organisations with projects located in the following parishes: Ampthill; Brogborough; Cranfield; Houghton Conquest; Lidlington; Marston Moretaine; Maulden; Millbrook; Stewartby and Wootton (subject to the Rookery South Community Trust Fund eligibility requirements). The fund prioritises projects which promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and recycling.

 

The community trust fund is independently coordinated by Grantscape and full details of previous donations, future funding rounds, eligibility and applications can be found via this link.

Find out more

Supporting the local economy

The joint owners of the facility, Encyclis and Veolia, developed a Local Employment Plan in conjunction with Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire

 

Council that actively promotes local employment, local supplies of materials and services, and encourages training of employees. In addition, over 50 permanent jobs were created when the facility started operating in 2022.

 

To ensure that the economic benefits of the project are maximised for Bedfordshire’s businesses, we have joined the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce to help promote employment and supply chain opportunities for the Rookery South facility.

Rookery South Community Energy Initiative

The Rookery South Community Energy Initiative (RSCEI) provides a contribution towards energy bills for over 3,000 local households that registered when applications were open. The scheme is now closed to new applicants.

Community Liaison Panel

The CLP plays a key role in ensuring effective engagement between the facility and local community. Originally established at the outset of the project, the CLP continues to promote helpful dialogue. We value the views and opinions of our neighbours and are pleased to have built open and transparent relationships.

 

A typical meeting format for the CLP is as follows:

 

  • The agenda is set by the members at the end of the previous meeting.
  • Presentations are given by Encyclis, Veolia and/or other members of the team.
  • Members ask questions and/or for further information to be given at a later meeting, if necessary.
  • Encyclis and Veolia strive to ensure that specialists are in attendance to present and answer questions about technical issues where necessary.
  • The agenda for the following meeting is set, with further requests for items to be added received in the interim, via email.
  • Meetings are scheduled to last 2 hours.
  • Following each meeting, summary notes are prepared by an independent facilitator, shared with CLP members and made available on this website.

Meeting notes