The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority announced on Friday that plans to build an in-vessel composting facility (IVC), materials recycling facility (MRF) and transfer loading station at Watihlands in Rochdale have been approved.
It is one of 23 planning approvals for £330 million of new infrastructure that is being sought by Viridor and Laing (see letsrecycle.com story), who are the preferred bidders for Manchester's multi-billion pound long-term PFI contract (see letsrecycle.com story).
Councillor Neil Swannick, chair of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, said: “This is excellent news. Whilst this is only one of 23 planning approvals we require across Greater Manchester, this was a critical one because it is for a major facility and essentially a new use for the site.”
“The current weather conditions are a reminder to us all that action is required on climate change, and the new facilities in Rochdale will help local people to do their bit”, he added.
Proposed
Under Manchester's proposed long-term contract, which is worth an estimated three billion pounds, the city is hoping to halt waste growth, recycle 50% of its waste and reduce the volume of waste that is sent to landfill by 700,000 tonnes a year. In 2005/06, the authority only recycled 22% of its waste.
A further planning application is anticipated for the Waithlands site to enhance the existing household waste recycling centre (HWRC). The site will be revamped to improve traffic flows and the operation of the site with the aim of recycling 60% of the material delivered there.
Writing in a document recommending the planning application be approved by Rochdale metropolitan borough council, council officers said: “The proposal represents an important facility in achieving ECA government targets and the Greater Manchester Waste Strategy to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites.”
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