A typical general waste transfer section. Waste is collected from a wide range of sources before being sorted and bulked up for disposal or recycling.

INTRODUCTION

9.1 Waste transfer stations play an important intermediate role between the collection and final disposal of waste. Their purpose is usually to collect together relatively small amounts of waste until sufficient quantities are accumulated to merit transportation to the relevant waste management option. Waste transfer stations help achieve a more environmentally sustainable system of waste management as they can reduce transport requirements, particularly long distance haulage, and allow a greater proportion of the waste stream to be recycled, treated and/or recovered. Figure 9.1 illustrates the role waste transfer stations play in waste management.

TYPES OF TRANSFER STATIONS

9.2 There are two types of transfer station. First, there is the general operation dealing with a wide range of wastes, including commercial, industrial and demolition wastes. Materials such as paper, cans, and plastic can be sorted and taken on to other sites for recycling. Builders' rubble and soils can be separated and, possibly, screened to be sold on or taken to disposal sites. Other wastes may be sent on for treatment before disposal.

9.3 Secondly, there is the specialist transfer station dealing with a single type of waste, normally special or hazardous categories, for example, asbestos waste from demolition sites. Industrial and manufacturing processes often produce wastes which would be very costly to transport and dispose of in small amounts. The waste is sometimes separated into its different components on-site before being bulked and sent on for treatment, recycling or disposal.

9.4 There are 22 general waste transfer stations in Nottinghamshire, mostly in urban areas. Plan 9.1 identifies the location of these sites.

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

9.5 General waste transfer stations and larger specialist sites can have a significant environmental impact. Sites typically have an industrial appearance with buildings, waste storage areas, skips, tipping bays, and various mobile and fixed plant. Office accommodation and car parking for staff and visitors may also be required. Figure 9.2 shows the layout of a typical general waste transfer station.

9.6 Noise and dust are generated by mechanical grabbers and mobile plant which sort and load the waste. HGV traffic taking sorted wastes off-site to be recycled, disposed or otherwise managed may also be a cause of concern. Where non-inert wastes are involved, leachate from storage and sorting areas present a risk of water pollution and unpleasant odours may be emitted. Chapter 3 on Environmental Protection gives detailed guidance on how such impacts can be minimised.

Plan 9.1 Location of Waste Transfer Stations (General Type) and key [PDF 165KB]

Figure 9.1 Role of Waste Transfer Station (General Type) [PDF 49KB]

Figure 9.2 Illustration of a Typical Waste Transfer Station (General Type) [PDF 57KB]

9.7 Many specialist waste transfer stations, particularly those dealing with asbestos and solvent wastes, consist of no more than a skip in the yard of a manufacturing unit. Whilst planning permission is often not required, it would be pertinent for operators to check the planning implications with the WPA.

FUTURE PROVISIONS

9.8 Whilst waste transfer stations serve an important function, large schemes should only be sited in employment sites designed to accommodate such types of environmentally intrusive development.

9.9 In order to encourage more waste transfer stations in Nottinghamshire, Policy W9.1 allocates 13 small areas of search within which a Waste Transfer Station may be suitable. New schemes and extensions to existing facilities may also be suitably located in employment sites or those designated in the City and District Council Local Plans where it can be demonstrated there will be no unacceptable environmental impact. Where appropriate, buildings and covered areas should be used for the handling/processing of wastes to minimise impact on the Environment and amenity. For example, this is likely to be necessary for the areas of search identified at Harworth, Bleak Hills and Firbeck in order to be in keeping with the prestigious nature of these employment sites.

POLICY W9.1

PLANNING PERMISSION FOR WASTE TRANSFER STATIONS WILL BE PERMITTED WITHIN THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYMENT SITES SUBJECT TO ADEQUATE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS:

(a) HARWORTH;
(b) FIRBECK;
(c) BOUGHTON;
(d) BRAILWOOD ROAD, BILSTHORPE;
(e) OLD MILL LANE, MANSFIELD;
(f) BLEAK HILLS MANSFIELD;
(g) LAND WEST OF FULWOOD;
(h) BELVOIR IRONWORKS, BALDERTON;
(i) NEWMANLEY ROAD, EASTWOOD;
(j) COLWICK SITE NO.1;
(k) COLWICK SITE NO.2;
(l) EASTCROFT;
(m) LANGAR.

PROPOSALS FOR NEW FACILITIES OR EXTENSIONS TO EXISTING SITES OUTSIDE THESE PREFERRED AREAS WILL ALSO BE PERMITTED IN OTHER EXISTING EMPLOYMENT SITES OR THOSE DESIGNATED IN THE CITY AND DISTRICT COUNCIL LOCAL PLANS PROVIDED THERE IS NO UNACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.