SITA tries to smooth fears over 120,000 tonne-a-year facilities

The company hopes to develop a facility at Binnegar Quarry, two miles from Wareham, to deal with around 122,000 tonnes of waste each year – ranging from garden and kitchen waste through to paper, cans and plastic bottles.

It has re-submitted a planning proposal for the site – which includes a materials recycling facility, an enclosed composting centre, a depot and visitor centre – to the county council after a similar proposal was withdrawn earlier this year.

Under the revised proposal, composting facilities have been redesigned to be under cover but local fears remain – including those of Purbeck district councillors and Wareham parish councillors – over the possible impact from the extra vehicles on the transport infrastructure.

Traffic

They are concerned the road network will not be able to cope with large lorries and that there will be tailbacks on already congested roads. However, SITA has said independent traffic consultants have carried out a study – based on a “worst case scenario – which has backed its plans.

The company said an assessment from Mayer Brown concluded that “there are no highways or transportation related reasons why the development should not be permitted”.

The consultants said in a 41-page report that the traffic impact of the project would be low in absolute terms while the site for the proposal was already “very well located” for access to transport links.

Michael Cox, SITA UK area manager, said: “We know from talking to parish councils and local people that their biggest concern about our plans relates to fears of an increase in traffic – particularly HGVs.

He added: “Hopefully this authoritative assessment from an independent and highly-respected firm of external consultants will go some way to providing reassurance for those who have raised concerns.”