Plans for new waste recycling centre in Sunderland could get go-ahead next week

Aerial view of how the Household Waste and Recycling Centre could look

Sunderland City Council is looking to move its current centre at Beach Street in Deptford to the former Rolls-Royce site on the Pallion Industrial Estate.

Planners say the current centre has “outgrown the site” and needs to be moved to accommodate the new Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor, a new road between the Northern Spire and city centre.

If approved, the Pallion hub would offer a range of new and improved facilities for residents including a recycle and re-use shop, improved access and a ‘walk-in’ option for the first time.

Skip view of proposed household waste and recycling centre, Sunderland

Planners have recommended the application for approval and say the centre will “increase the city’s potential to achieve higher recycling levels and divert greater quantities of waste from landfill.”

According to planning documents, the centre would accept the same types of waste as Beach Street and a small proportion of trade/commercial waste on a pre-booked permit basis.

The site would keep the same hours as Beach Street and open seven days a week, all year around – apart from Christmas Day.

Around 21,000 tonnes of waste would be processed every year with an average of 106 to 138 vehicles arriving every hour, alongside 20 operational vehicles per day.

How the entrance to the new Household Waste and Recycling Centre could look.

The council also plans to let the proposed re-use shop to an organisation from the community and voluntary sector with charity recycling bins provided on site.

And unlike Beach Street, pedestrian visitors will be able to access the site via new footways.

Following consultation, two letters of support and five objection letters were received – including a representation from Pallion ward councillor, Martin Haswell, on behalf of residents.

Potential issues included the centre’s proximity to homes, noise, light pollution, litter and traffic and further questions about how odour would be managed.

Meanwhile, supporters said Pallion Industrial Estate needs improvement with the new site potentially having a positive impact on fly-tipping.

Planners say the centre will be controlled by a raft of conditions and kept in check through an Environment Agency permit.

A report prepared for councillors next Friday at 2pm adds the existing centre at Beach Street is “no longer fit for purpose.”

It goes on to say: “The current proposal will seek to improve recycling provision within the city whilst providing an efficient and effective modern facility.”

The city council previously allocated £5 million for the Pallion scheme and a mini-recycling centre in the Coalfields area as part its budget setting process in 2018.

A final decision on Pallion’s recycling hub will be made by the council’s Planning and Highways (East) Committee on Friday, October 2.

The meeting starts at 2pm and will be held via videolink and broadcast on the council’s YouTube page.

To watch live, visit: https://youtu.be/kDb68IHhX1o

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