Planning approval for North East waste projects

Sunderland approved plans to upgrade a waste transfer station and an adjacent household waste recycling centre at Wrekenton which is situated south of Gateshead, just across the boundary in Sunderland. The Wrekenton HWRC belongs to Gateshead council and was operated by Gateshead even though it is situated within the Sunderland authoritys area, however Sunderland residents may also use the facilities.

The two authorities work together on waste infrastructure projects through the South Tyne & Wear Waste Management Partnership along with South Tyneside council. The partnership awarded SITA UK a 25-year waste management contract in April 2011 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Waste transfer station

The existing waste transfer station, which has been in operation for 25 years, will be renovated to handle up to 90,000 tonnes of waste per year. Non-recycled household waste will be taken to SITA UKs energy-from-waste plant in Teesside. Also included in the project is a purpose built education and visitor centre.

Corrina Scott-Roy, planning manager for SITA UK, said: The new-look waste transfer station will be a big improvement for local residents and the visitor and education centre, which will be powered by solar panels and a small wind-turbine, will be a great resource for local schools.

We will be setting up a community liaison group so that people can keep up to date with the redevelopment and ongoing operations at the site.

HWRC

The Household Waste and Recycling Centre, adjacent to the Wrekenton transfer station, will be made more efficient and user-friendly. Currently the centre allows residents to drop-off waste for recycling, including small WEEE, garden waste, timber and rubble.

The plans include increasing the size of the centre, installing a roof and additional containers, and setting up a one way road system. When completed, the site will have separate areas for cars and service vehicles to alleviate traffic congestion around the centre as under the current set up, the site has to close when containers are moved.

Colin Huntington, Gateshead councils head of waste services, said: The new recycling centre will be a great facility for our residents and help us in our quest to boost recycling rates by 50% by 2020.