Press release - Oct 10, 2009 09:00 AM

Lack of landfill space in the county leads SITA Cornwall to consider proposal to increase the capacity of Connon Bridge landfill site

A scoping report is being submitted to Cornwall Council proposing an increase to the capacity of the landfill site at Connon Bridge near East Taphouse in East Cornwall.  Submitting a scoping report to the planning authority is the first step before a planning application can be made.  The scoping report outlines the need for the additional capacity and any potential environmental issues that would need to be addressed before a planning application can be made.

James Pike, Regional Manager for SITA Cornwall said: “The report is being submitted because the county will run out of landfill space by 2014, which means we have just four years of landfill capacity left in Cornwall.  The county needs its own landfill site to take non-recycled waste so that we can be self-sufficient.   We cannot afford to find ourselves in the position that we have to start sending waste for disposal out of the county.”

“If the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre (CERC) appeal succeeds there will still be a continuing need for landfill space - to dispose of non-recycled commercial waste and household items, which are not suitable for an energy from waste facility.”

Stuart Higgins, Operations Manager for Landfills said: ”We can extend the life of the landfill site by modifying the site’s contours, without increasing the high point of the site and we can still remain within the current site boundary.

“We understand that extending the life of a landfill site will not be popular with everyone. However, we urgently need a landfill site in the county to dispose of the 300,000 tonnes of waste produced each year by householders and businesses and we need to dispose of it in Cornwall.  Householders and businesses can’t recycle everything and although the role of landfill is reducing, some of Cornwall’s waste will still need to be managed in this way.”

Stuart continued: “We are committed to the highest standard of environmental management at our facilities. We have recently invested just under £1 million on a state of the art leachate treatment plant at the site.  And we collect landfill gas at both of the company’s Cornish landfill sites, currently creating enough power between them for 13,000 homes and saving 34,000 tonnes of CO2.”

When Cornwall Councillor for Altarnun, Phil Parsons visited the site on Tuesday and heard that no further land would be needed to increase the capacity of the site, he said:  "Of course we need to make best use of the site. We mustn't waste any of it."

Stuart Higgins also visited Braddock Church of England School at East Taphouse to explore how the schoolchildren can learn more about the workings and management of the landfill and how waste is dealt with.

A local liaison group is working with SITA Cornwall to view the plans, make suggestions and advise them of the ways in which they can maintain good relations with residents during the development and operation of the site.

Any planning submission would not be finalised until 2010 following a period of public consultation.