Waste station plan is a 'no-goer'

5:12pm Friday 5th October 2007

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THE leader of Rossendale Council has scotched rumours that a waste transfer station plan will go ahead in Bacup.

Councillor Duncan Ruddick said that as far as the cabinet are concerned, plans to have a recovery resource centre at the council's Henrietta Street depot opposite the Royal Court Theatre are a "no-goer."

It was reported that the plans would involve trucks delivering rubbish for bulk transfer and waste being sorted there for up to 48 hours at a time.

Coun Ruddick said there was not a massive need for the waste station and that they would only go ahead with such a centre in the borough if a suitable site can be found.

He said: "There were various reasons why that site is not suitable.

"RBC is a business and when we make decisions we consider all the options - some of those are discarded in the early stages.

"We own a site in Bacup which is currently used as a refuge depot and we were sensible to consider that.

"There is a genuine choice to be made. Do we continue with the existing arrangements and accept the higher cost or do we go ahead with a resource recovery centre which will boost the amount of waste that we recycle and reduce our waste disposal costs?

"Because there is a disgruntled ex-member of council somewhere it seems impossible to make decisions about important things.

"We can never say never but it's not all about money. We've got to see whether a site is suitable first.

"This has all been a storm in a teacup. If we can find a suitable site that the cabinet are happy with we will consult with local people."

Coun Gladys Sandiford, from the Greenfield ward, confirmed that the council had commissioned Scott Wilson Ltd to do a feasibility report to look at using the depot as a combined waste transfer loading station and materials recycling facility.

She said that no decision had been made and even if it had, it would have to go to a consultation next.

"I'm not a betting person but I'd have a few quid on the fact that this will not take place.

"There's not even a possibility," said Coun Sandiford.

"There's room for it there but it is near the town centre and where people live."

Locations in Rawtenstall, Stacksteads and Haslingden are also being considered for the proposals.

Irwell councillor Graham Haworth, who lives in Bacup, said: "If it was to go ahead it wouldn't be the best move location wise.

"The there's a lot of concerns for that site as it could cause quite a big problem with traffic and smells."

In a council run survey in August, Rossendale residents said the things they most wanted to be improved were better street cleanliness and the waste collection service .