Controversial waste treatment project set for council approval

Councillors in Wakefield are being urged to back the proposals despite concerns from objectors worried about the risk of pollution and contamination, the impact on air quality. They also fear it will lead to more local traffic.

Healthcare Environmental Services want to use the building on Normanton Industrial Estate, in Loscoe Close, Normanton, to treat, store and transfer waste. In the short term, most waste would come from NHS hospitals, says a report to members of Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee.

The document says: “The application is for the change of use of land and the existing industrial building to waste treatment, storage and transfer with associated offices, together with the development of ancillary plant including a boiler house and associated stack and condenser.

“The proposed facility would deal with up to 34,000 tonnes of wastes per year.

“It is intended the plant would operate 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

“In the short term the main source of the waste would originate from NHS hospitals which would be regarded as hazardous (waste whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection) but includes other streams of wastes which would also have hazardous characteristics (toxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic, infectious).

“The application is for a wide range of wastes which include both hazardous and non-hazardous materials.”

Objectors include Normanton Town Council and Wakefield Councillor David Dagger (Labour).

Coun Dagger says the report is concerned that the proposal “would add to the existing concentration of air pollution.”

He too is concerned about the traffic implications.

Normanton Town Council has raised concerns about the type of waste to be handled at the plant and the risk of contamination and pollution, any emissions from vehicles and the plant would have a detrimental effect on the area, the existing sewers may not be able to cope and fears that the plant would increase traffic in the area.

However, Wakefield Council officers say that while the plant may deal with hazardous waste it would have to operate within strict legislation.

Their report says: “It is noted that the development would include handling of hazardous wastes which are dangerous for human health. Any impacts in this respect could potentially affect the workforce at the site and at the adjoining units.

“Stringent procedures to prevent any accidents at the site would be controlled under separate legislation by an Environmental Permit administered by Environment Agency.

“Given this, it is considered that the above matters of public health and safety would be suitably addressed by the above permit and they should not be replicated by the planning system.”

Officers admit there is a “reasonable likelihood” the development could create smells but add that the developer has set out plans to keep odour releases within acceptable levels.

Some waste would be processed at high temperature and pressure. The sterilised output would then be shredded, compacted and stored in containers before being moved from site.

Substances not processed by this method would be stored there temporarily.

Officers are recommending that planning committee members agree with their recommendation and approve the project when they meet on Thursday next week.

Approval will be subject to conditions, including agreement about the types of waste to be treated or stored at the site.