SITA submits plans for Knowsley waste station

RECYCLING company SITA UK has submitted its formal application to build a rail-loading waste transfer station on a 13-acre site at Knowsley Industrial Park in Kirkby.

The company said that the site will allow up to 500,000 tonnes of residual waste created on Merseyside to be transferred up to an energy from waste site it owns in Teesside.

SITA is one of two firms currently in the running for Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority’s (MWDA) Resource Recovery Contract. The proposed waste transfer station would only go ahead if SITA’s bid wins. A decision is set to be announced next summer.

SITA has already held a series of consultation events in the local area, though, with planning manager Corrina Scott-Roy stating the firm had “taken on board” comments when finalising its application.

“Our proposal would utilise an existing rail transfer facility and with some minor alterations provide an efficient and sustainable method of transporting waste to an energy-from-waste plant in Teesside,” she said. “This would mean that 500,000 tonnes of waste is put to good use rather than being sent to landfill.”

She added one recurring theme which came up during consultation was the perceived impact on Acorn Farm, adding that SITA had been in talks with the farm’s management to look at ways in which the station could help to secure the farm’s future operations.

Businesses within a three-mile radius of the site can apply for funding from the SITA Trust, but it is also proposing a community fund providing up to £50,000 a year for local projects.

“We pride ourselves on being a good neighbour and hope to secure planning permission so we can implement our proposals for this site,” she said.

The application is likely to be heard by Knowsley Council before the end of the year.