Date published: 2024-08-22 | Category: Bath, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency, Waste and Recycling
Proposals for a new waste and recycling hub in Bath have moved on a stage with the submission of a formal planning application by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The council is proposing to develop a site in Locksbrook Road, currently used by the council’s street cleansing activities. The new facility will replace the existing Bath Recycling Centre site in Midland Road, which was identified for redevelopment as part of the Bath Western Riverside regeneration project and has full planning approval for new affordable and market homes.
The proposed centre will provide collection facilities for residual household waste and recyclables, scrap metal, large electrical items such as washing machines and dishwashers, cardboard, garden waste, bulky waste and soft furnishings.
The council held a programme of public engagement on the proposals during May and June. Postcards were sent to residents and businesses in the surrounding areas and a drop-in session was held at the former MOT depot on Locksbrook Road, enabling those without internet access to view the proposals and speak to members of the project team. The drop-in was attended by around 100 people and 40 feedback questionnaires were completed on the day.
During the engagement period, there were nearly 3,000 unique views of the engagement website and 162 feedback responses were submitted.The feedback showed that 60% of residents who responded believed it was important to continue to provide waste and recycling facilities in Bath.
The feedback from residents and other stakeholders has been considered by the design team and concerns around the noise, reduction in air quality and accessibility within the site have been addressed.
Residents will now have another opportunity to give their views and external organisations including Natural England, Environment Agency and Network Rail will be consulted.
Councillor Tim Ball, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the engagement and has given their feedback on the proposals. We have listened to what was said and incorporated some suggestions when shaping the planning application. I would encourage everyone to give us their comments on the revised proposals that have been developed. The current Bath Recycling Centre will remain open as normal until a replacement is operational, but once an alternative site has been confirmed and the Midland Road site vacated, we can start work on the first phase of affordable homes – which will help to deliver on one of the council’s key priorities.”
You can view an overview of the proposals and the proposed site layout on an interactive map online at https://www.bathrecyclingcentre.co.uk/.
The planning application reference number is 24/03168/REG03 and it can be viewed on the council website.
ENDS