Plans to create a new, state-of-the-art waste treatment centre on the Isle of Wight have taken a step forward.
New waste contractor Amey has submitted a planning application to redevelop the existing waste site at Forest Park in Newport – by building a new, up-to-date mechanical treatment plant, as well as refurbishing the existing advanced thermal treatment plant.
Amey’s Paul Southall said:
“We were recently announced as Isle of Wight’s Council’s waste and environmental services partner and we want to do everything we can to improve the service we provide for local residents.
“By redeveloping Forest Park we will be creating modern facilities, which are centrally based to deal with local rubbish. It means the Island will be able to take care of its own rubbish in the most sustainable way and our aim will be to recycle more than 55% of the Island’s household waste.”
If plans are approved, Forest Park will deal with waste collected at the kerbside (both recycling and general rubbish) and through Household Waste Recycling Centres – as well as some locally-produced commercial and industrial waste. The mechanical treatment plant will sort the waste and pull out recyclable materials, before the advanced thermal treatment plant uses any left-over, non-recyclable waste to create energy. Together, the on-site technologies will not only increase recycling rates but will ensure more than 90% of the Island’s household waste doesn’t end up being landfilled. They equipment is also designed to be flexible to meet with changing needs in future years.
In addition, the proposals for Forest Park include introducing a new visitor centre on site, supported by mobile education facilities to help raise awareness of the importance of recycling.
If plans are approved, we will aim to start construction in Summer 2016 and commence full operations at the Forest Park site in Summer 2018.
A summary of the planning application can be found at www.amey.co.uk/iowwaste, while full documents will shortly be available on Isle of Wight Council’s planning authority web pages.
In addition to the Forest Park site, Amey is also planning to redevelop Lynnbottom Household Waste Recycling Centre, near Arreton, to make it more user-friendly. This will include increasing the number of raised recycling bays from 11 to 17 and providing an area for small scale commercial waste recycling.
Paul Southall added:
“The proposals for Lynnbottom will allow us to significantly improve the site, making it much easier and quicker for residents to use. We’d like to thank residents who took the time to come and meet us and give us their views on both the Forest Park and Lynnbottom plans before our applications were submitted and we’re committed to keeping everyone updated on next steps.”
As part of its commitment to keep residents updated, Amey has launched a Community Waste Forum. The forum aims to give organisations and residents information and updates on areas including operational updates, any proposed changes to services and the plans for improving waste treatment facilities on the Island.
