New 2.5 million recycling site for Buckinghamshire council

The facility at Wapseys Wood landfill in Beaconsfield will cost 2.5 million and is to replace an outdated site at Candlemas Lane.

” I am sure Beaconsfield residents, who are great recyclers, will welcome this much needed and more convenient facility “
– Rodney Royston, Buckinghamshire county council
Buckinghamshire county council has spent around 500,000 on the land for the site, with an additional 1.4 million being spent on building. Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd has been contracted to build the site, which is expected to be completed by February 2007.

The land at Wapseys Wood landfill was purchased from waste management company Veolia Environmental Services.

Buckinghamshire council's new site will be capable of handling 10,000 tonnes per annum and it is expected to achieve a recycling rate of more than 65% – the Candlemas Lane site currently handles 2,200 tonnes a year.

Welcome


Rodney Royston, cabinet member for planning and environment, said: “I am sure Beaconsfield residents, who are great recyclers, will welcome this much needed and more convenient facility.

“This will help us reach our higher recycling targets in a bid to get more out of our waste and less into landfill sites. This has to be the way to a better environment,” he added.

Candlemas Lane has been seen as dangerously cramped and a spokeswoman for the council said: “Local residents have been desperate for a better site.”

Buckinghamshire's new site will have 20 containers, compared to seven at Candlemas Lane. It will be possible to deposit batteries, oil, tyres, soil and hardcore and white goods at the site – as well as commonly collected materials such as green waste, cans and paper.

Trade waste


Small business and traders will be able to pay to dispose of their waste at the facility in a designated trade waste area of the site.

The county council is funding the facility itself, although it has been given 200,000 for the site by South Buckinghamshire district council as part of the move from Candlemas Lane.

A spokeswoman for Buckinghamshire said: “We have a long-term lease with them at Candlemas Lane and are surrendering that early to move to a new site.”

The Candlemas Lane facility is surrounded by high cost residential housing and could prove an attractive option for the council to sell off for new housing.