PR 3284

ANDOVER'S NEW HWRC: A CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Andover residents are invited to come and have a look at plans for the relocation and redevelopment of Andover's Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).

The exhibition will be held from Monday 29 January - Saturday 3 February at the public library in Andover's Chantry Centre and then the following week at Test Valley Borough Council offices (Beech Hurst) from Monday 5 - Friday 9 February. It will feature plans and designs for the new facility for which planning permission is currently being sought.

The proposal is for the replacement of the current Shepherd's Spring Lane site with a bigger and better centre at Scott Close, on the Walworth Industrial Estate. In addition the new site will be "split level", so it won't have to temporarily close when containers are emptied. The upper area will be dedicated entirely to customers, with almost double the number of parking spaces, more recycling containers and onsite "stacking" space for over 30 cars; as a result it is anticipated queuing times and traffic congestion in the surrounding area will be significantly reduced.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Mel Kendal, said: "The exhibition is a great chance for Andover residents and businesses on the Walworth estate to see the proposed new facility and make comments on the application. As well as making visits to the HWRC quicker and easier, these improvements will bring the recycling rate at Andover HWRC from 57% closer to the county target of 65%, so I feel sure most people will support the plans."

Staff from Hampshire County Council will also be available between 11am - 1pm Wednesday 31 January, and 12pm - 2pm Friday 2 February to answer any questions local people may have. Outside of these times visitors will have the opportunity to leave comments or to provide their contact details for their enquiries to be answered at a later date. The exhibition at Test Valley Borough Council offices will not be manned.

An application for planning permission for constructing the new HWRC was submitted on 11 January 2007, and if granted could see the new facility ready for public use in early 2008. Local people wishing to comment on the application should visit http://www3.hants.gov.uk/planning-applications.html

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For media enquiries please contact:

Charlotte Allison, Assistant Press Officer

Corporate Communications Team

Tel: 01962 847666

Email: charlotte.allison2@hants.gov.uk

30 January 2007