A study-commissioned by Sandwell metropolitan borough council has identified 12 “attractive” sites for private sector development in commercial and industrial waste infrastructure in the region.
The ‘Commercial and Industrial Waste Economic Research' study covers a range of economic and environmental management data to assess areas where the council could invest in both infrastructure and employment.
Sandwell undertook the study as part of its on-going effort to prioritise ‘green industries' under its wider proposals for economic regeneration in the region (see letsrecycle.com story).
At the heart of the study, URS/Scott Wilson drew up a long-list of 46 potential sites for developing waste treatment capacity in the Sandwell region. This was reduced to 12 “attractive” sites, which tie in with the council's local planning policy document for investment.
And, the study also indicates that there would be specific opportunities for development in the fields of organic waste treatment, energy recovery facilities for mixed waste and ‘niche' facilities, such as those developed to deal with a specific waste stream.
The developments would fall into so-called ‘regeneration corridors', which are areas that Sandwell has identified as primary locations for increasing employment opportunities.
Jan Britton, interim chief executive for Sandwell council, said: “This study has provided us with invaluable information regarding specific investment opportunities within the waste management market and a list of 12 potential sites which might be utilised, through private investment, to boost the economy of Sandwell and provide much needed employment in the region as well as contribute towards a ‘zero waste economy'.”
“We plan to use the findings of this report to begin the process of supporting and facilitating inward investment into the local C&I waste sector within Sandwell, and will be actively engaging with the sector to help make this happen”.
Conclusion
The study concluded that Sandwell is an “attractive destination” for developing C&I waste treatment infrastructure due to its central location in the region, diverse range of C&I waste arisings and the shortfall of alternatives to landfill in the West Midlands.
This is in reference to a proposed 3.7 million tonnes shortfall in waste management capacity in the region by 2021 that was highlighted by Advantage West Midlands in August 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Furthermore, the study found that the proposed 12 sites were well served by existing transport links, suitable for waste facility development, and that Sandwell had a supportive business environment for establishing new businesses in the region.
Earlier this month, Sandwell formally put pen-to-paper on a £650 million deal with services firm Serco to cater for its residual waste and recycling services over the next 25-years (see letsrecycle.com story).
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