Nottingham City Council has approved additional funding of £109,000 for the demolition and rebuild of the Eastcroft Waste Transfer Station.
This decision, detailed in an operational decision published on August 3, 2023, comes as a response to the pressing need for a safer and more efficient waste management facility and follows a previous funding approval.
Previous Funding and Current Decision
On November 11, 2022, a DDM (4766) was approved for £420,000.
This revenue funding was initially allocated to demolish and rebuild the existing Waste Transfer Station (WTS) at Eastcroft. However, after the scope of works was finalised and the project was formally costed, a funding shortfall of £109,000 was identified, leading to the current decision for additional funding.
The Implications of the Decision
The Eastcroft Waste Transfer Station, a key component of the city’s waste management infrastructure, was deemed beyond its life expectancy and at risk of closure due to health and safety issues. The additional funding will ensure the station can continue to operate safely, allowing for the separation of waste and processing for recycling or recovery, thereby supporting key statutory services.
The decision to rebuild the station aligns with Regulation 12 of the Waste (England and Wales) regulations 2011. This regulation mandates companies involved in waste management to take all reasonable measures to apply the Waste Hierarchy when waste is transferred. The Waste Hierarchy prioritises waste prevention, followed by reuse, recycling, recovery, and lastly, disposal.
Funding Allocation and Environmental Agency Guidelines
The additional funding of £109,000 will be allocated in two parts: £63,000 for the Waste Transfer Station and £46,000 for future maintenance plans. The Environmental Agency has confirmed that the Council can still operate under the current permit (43417) as long as the rebuild is like-for-like, replacing the same size walls and existing undercover bays only and building on the original footprint.
Impact on Waste Management and Financial Savings
Over the last four years, the station has treated thousands of tons of waste. Even in a low year, 21/22, 1,586 tons of waste was separated to energy from waste (EFW), saving £0.121m. Additionally, the separation of rubble, metal, and wood resulted in further savings, reaffirming the financial and environmental benefits of the station.
Legal and Procurement Aspects
The works for the demolition, design, and rebuild of the Eastcroft Depot Waste Transfer Station will be undertaken/awarded to a number of contractors through appropriate SCAPE (Direct Award) Frameworks. These frameworks will be used for the selection of a supplier for demolition/pre-construction, and rebuild/construction stages. Perfect Circle JV Ltd will be selected for Construction and Design Management through the Scape National Consultancy Framework.
Carbon Impact Assessment
The station’s operation has had a significant impact on waste management and carbon footprint reduction. In the year 21/22 alone, 1,586 tons of waste was separated to energy from waste (EFW). The council says that the decision to rebuild the station is a testament to the council’s commitment to effective waste management and environmental sustainability.
The approval of the additional funding for the Eastcroft Waste Transfer Station rebuild, following the previous allocation of £420,000, is a significant step towards ensuring a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly waste management infrastructure for the city of Nottingham.
