22/4/2009 - Next step taken in battle to solve Cumbria's landfill problem

Cumbria took a step towards slashing the amount of household waste it sends to landfill today, 22nd April 2009, when the County Council’s  Development Control and Regulation Committee granted planning permission to Shanks Cumbria’s new waste treatment facility at Hespin Wood near Carlisle.

Once constructed, the treatment facility will process up to 75,000 tonnes of ‘black bag’ waste a year from the County that would otherwise be sent to landfill. This diversion of waste from landfill not only has an environmental benefit but will also ensure that Cumbria meets Government recycling and diversion targets and avoids substantial fines that are imposed for failing to do so.

The County Council agreed last November to a 25 year deal with Shanks to provide cutting edge, sustainable waste management technology for Cumbria and the final completion of the contract negotiations is expected imminently. 

Stephen Ray, Operations Director for Shanks PFI said “The granting of planning permission is really good news for Cumbria. Now we really can begin to lay the foundations of a more sustainable future for dealing with Cumbria’s waste.”

Cumbria County Council leader Stewart Young added: “Getting the approval for this planning application is a big step in revolutionising waste disposal in Cumbria.

“Our contract with Shanks will massively reduce the amount of rubbish being sent to landfill and provide the county with a greener, more cost-effective system for dealing with waste for many years to come.”

Now that the Hespin Wood facility has been granted planning permission construction is scheduled to commence in August 2009. The facility will take about 30 months to build and commission, and is planned to be fully operational and receiving 75,000 tonnes of waste per annum from early 2012. 

Shanks will be using local firm Hanson Contracting (formerly Cumbrian Industrials), based in Penrith to carry out the construction project.  Around 200 different local tradesmen will be employed in the construction phase of the development, although no more than 40 of these will be on site at any one time. Once the facility is built 11 full time operational roles will be created. The site will also include an office building where 11 full time administration and management posts will be created. 

ENDS