Plans for composting plant are submitted

10:57am Monday 1st September 2008

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A PLANNING application for a controversial composting plant in Tormarton has been lodged by waste disposal firm SITA.

The company, appointed as contractors to South Gloucestershire Council, has been finalising details of the indoor factory for months but has now submitted its completed plans to the authority.

If the council gives the project the green light, an in-vessel compost plant would be built on land at the Highways Agency depot on the A46, close to Junction 18 of the M4.

It would include a series of enclosed composting tunnels, a reception hall and a screening area.

SITA hopes to compost 30,000 tonnes of organic food waste, cardboard and other green waste from within South Gloucestershire at the plant, increasing the amount of recycled rubbish to 50 percent in line with Government targets.

Traffic lights would be erected to control the 66 delivery vehicles expected at the site every day and six jobs would be created.

In a supporting statement to the council, SITA said: "At present, non-recyclable residual waste is transported for disposal by landfill to one of three sites in the Swindon area.

"There is a pressing need for this type of in-vessel facility within the former county of Avon.

"The site is relatively distant from sensitive receptors such as residential properties whilst remaining within good proximity to the source of waste production."

SITA said it searched 24 sites over eight years but said the land in Tormarton was the most appropriate and available.

The firm has held a series of consultation events with local residents over the past few months, however, locals are still concerned over noise, traffic movements and smells.

Council planning officials will now evaluate the plans and a decision is due to be made by mid November.