Long-running saga over waste facility takes ‘major’ step forward
Plans by Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council to fix and operate their jointly owned waste treatment centre in Sinfin have taken a “major” step forward.
In a joint update, the two councils said that bids from the waste industry are being invited for a contract to fix and operate the facility – which is at the centre of a long-running saga.
Both councils say they have “reaffirmed their commitment to the original decision”, made in February 2023, to work in partnership to get the waste treatment centre at Sinfin operational. Fixing and operating the facility was found to be the most viable and cost-effective, long-term solution to manage household waste from both the city and county, taking into account the councils’ ongoing commitment to encourage residents to reduce, reuse and recycle more of their waste.
Soft market testing undertaken throughout 2023 confirmed there was capability, capacity and appetite in the market to deliver the project.
An exercise to shortlist bidders is expected to take place in February, leading to the award of a contract in December 2025 and commissioning of the facility in June 2028 – over a decade after it was supposed to be opened.
It is anticipated the waste treatment centre will start to accept waste from across the city and county in November 2028.
Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure, said: “We still need a long-term, more sustainable solution to manage household waste which residents in Derby and Derbyshire either cannot or choose not to recycle.
“The councils are confident there is a competitive market for this project and the operators with the skills and experience to successfully deliver the project and its expected benefits.
“The councils have developed a procurement process and commercial proposition that we are confident will be attractive to suitably qualified and experienced companies and lead to a successful contract award.”
Councillor Simon Spencer, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Budget, said: “Having the waste treatment centre process non-recyclable household waste is more sustainable than transporting material around the country and reduces the risk of the councils being exposed to uncontrollable market prices in the future.
“We look forward with confidence to progressing the project to provide both councils with the most viable and cost-effective, long-term solution for the management of household waste, to benefit residents in both the city and county.”
The completed facility aims to divert 190,000 tonnes of waste per year away from landfill by heat-treating waste to produce a gas which is then burned to create enough electricity to power 14,000 homes.
