The scheme, if granted planning permission, will involve relocating the recycling centre on Pump Lane in Caister to the adjacent site to create a more spacious facility with a one way road system to free up traffic flows, a new layout for recycling containers and better parking facilities.
It would also include a dedicated central area for service vehicles so that the site doesn’t have to close for essential waste collection and servicing operations.
Bill Borrett, Norfolk county councils cabinet member for environment and waste, said: “Caister recycling centre is Norfolk’s busiest site outside of Norwich because it handles the biggest amount of waste. But it’s renowned for queues to get into it, and congestion once on it – factors which unquestionably affect its recycling rates which is below average for the county’s network.
“The new scheme that we are proposing directly addresses these problems and will make it much easier for residents to use. If planning permission is granted, it will turn Caister Recycling Centre into one of Norfolk’s most advanced recycling facilities.
“Our investment in an all-new Caister recycling centre will make it much easier for people to help boost Norfolk’s recycling rates. It is part of our commitment to provide high quality facilities that support residents’ recycling efforts, push up re use and recycling rates in the county and reduce the amount of rubbish we dump in landfill – which hurts our environment and costs us dearly because of escalating government landfill tax.”
Design
The design for the new site is based on the tried and tested layout at Norfolk’s most modern facility at King’s Lynn which was opened in 2008. This is also the model for the brand new site currently being built at Dereham and for a new recycling centre planned for Thetford.
The new Caister recycling centre will be located on the existing Highways depot on Pump Lane which will move to the site of the existing recycling centre as part of a land swap. During the construction works the existing recycling centre will remain open and the Highways depot operation will be temporarily condensed.
Explaining the process for the development of the new site, Dan Jacobs, waste infrastructure manager at the council, said: “Our aim is to submit a planning application for the new site this Autumn. Before this, people can find out more information about the plans at Great Yarmouth library and at Caister recycling centre from Friday 26th August. The planning process will also involve a formal consultation before it is considered.
“Subect to planning, construction could start in Spring next year and if all goes well, the new site could be up and running next Autumn.
“Because all the work will be taking place at the adjacent site, it shouldn’t affect the existing recycling centre and we don’t envisage that it will have any impact on the site, such as closures, during the building phase.”
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Norfolk county council operates 19 recycling centres across the county. Caister is one of the main sites and provide additional services to some of the others including water based and solvent paint recycling, the option to pay for additional DIY waste sacks on top of the one allowed per resident per week and a reuse shop.
Last year, Norfolk’s recycling centres recycled 68% of all the waste they received. Caister site’s recycling rate was 63.5%.
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