Nottinghamshire County Council has unveiled its next steps in overhauling the region’s household waste recycling infrastructure.
Aiming to address the shortcomings of existing facilities, particularly in rapidly growing areas like West Bridgford, the council is advancing plans to develop two new state-of-the-art recycling centres.
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West Bridgford’s current recycling site, which has long been criticised as inadequate for the needs of the expanding local population, is a key focus. The proposed replacement at Gamston, alongside a new centre in Mansfield or Kirkby-in-Ashfield, promises to improve accessibility, reduce congestion, and future-proof waste management services.
West Bridgford’s Transformation
The existing West Bridgford Household Waste Recycling Centre has been plagued by traffic congestion and outdated infrastructure according to the council, and no longer meets the demands of a growing community. Housing developments and increasing waste volumes have exacerbated queuing problems at the site, prompting the council to prioritise its replacement.
The recommended site at the Gamston Highways Depot, though located within the green belt, has been identified as a feasible alternative. To proceed, the council must demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” to secure planning approval. Preliminary assessments suggest that the depot’s proximity to major roadways, such as the A52, makes it a strong candidate, though improvements to nearby junctions may be required to manage traffic flows effectively.
Alternative sites that were considered for the South Nottinghamshire location include Lady Bay, Saxondale Island, and former industrial plots in Bunny and Colwick. However, these locations face challenges ranging from cost and accessibility to planning restrictions.
Western Nottinghamshire Sites
In the Mansfield and Kirkby-in-Ashfield areas, existing facilities are also deemed insufficient. Two potential sites—land off Jubilee Way in Mansfield and Portland Industrial Park in Kirkby-in-Ashfield—are under evaluation. Both locations are adjacent to existing waste management infrastructure and strategically positioned to serve the broader community. The council has emphasised that these sites align with local employment land allocations, potentially enabling seamless integration with ongoing developments.
New facilities will accommodate a broader range of recyclable materials, enhance opportunities for reuse, and prepare for compliance with evolving environmental regulations. Plans also include integrating Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems to tackle misuse by non-residents and traders, a practice estimated to cost the council £408,000 annually.
Although the introduction of trade waste recycling centres has been tabled for the time being, the council intends to revisit this possibility once the new network is operational. Lessons from a trial facility in Newark suggest that demand for such services might be limited.
• Petition against West Bridgford recycling centre move hit 3,381 signatures
This initiative builds on years of strategic reviews and public consultations. Previous studies, such as the 2018 review commissioned by Veolia, laid the groundwork for the current proposals. Nottinghamshire County Council’s commitment to modernising its waste infrastructure aligns with broader sustainability goals, ensuring that communities like West Bridgford, Mansfield, and Kirkby-in-Ashfield are equipped to manage waste responsibly for decades to come.
By improving access, reducing environmental impact, and accommodating growth, these new recycling centres signal a significant step forward for Nottinghamshire. Residents and stakeholders eagerly await the results of feasibility studies and subsequent planning applications, which will shape the county’s waste management landscape.
Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, county councillor for West Bridgford South told The Wire:
‘It is great news for West Bridgford residents and indeed all of Rushcliffe that the next stage of feasibility works are taking place for a new waste recycling centre located just off the A52 on the edge of Gamston.
‘I believe this will be much more accessible, provide opportunities to recycle more items and prevent the access and safety issues at the Rugby Road site.’
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I would like to confirm that although we’re undertaking works to identify replacements for the current sites in Kirkby in Ashfield, Mansfield and West Bridgford, no existing site will close until a better and more efficient replacement is open and ready to welcome residents.
“We commissioned a strategic review of our household waste and recycling centre network in 2022 to make sure that sites are best serving Nottinghamshire residents as we look towards the future.
“This review was undertaken by independent consultants and looked at all 12 sites across Nottinghamshire to assess the sites’ locations, the potential application of new technologies, the potential to open new facilities as well as the potential to develop existing sites.
“The resulting strategic review document was used as the basis for the county council’s cross party Place Select Committee to undertake a review into the recycling centre network and make a series of recommendations, which were approved by the county council’s Cabinet in July 2024.
“This process identified that the recycling centre provision in the south and west of the county is not currently fit for purpose and that the development of new sites in these areas would improve capacity and provide Nottinghamshire residents with a service that is sustainable as we look ahead to the future.
“As with any site search a number of sites were identified by our property team and we have now reduced this shortlist to those that we feel will be best place to accommodate a recycling centre.
“I would like to confirm that this doesn’t mean that we are starting work on constructing new sites.
“Now that these further detailed investigations have been approved, we will be looking closely at the viability of locating new recycling centres on these sites and we will continue to update residents with our progress as we look ahead to making our current network more efficient.”
