Contact: Adrian Lee, ext 7004

1. Summary

1.1 This report describes work undertaken to identify a suitable replacement site for the household waste recycling centre (HWRC) at Fishery Lane, Hayling Island. Progress on exploring the feasibility for improving the existing site and other service options is also outlined.

1.2 A very recent site search has revealed a further potential new site, although investigations are not yet complete and the existing temporary planning permission for the HWRC at Fishery Lane expires on 31 December 2002. An action plan is therefore suggested to complete the necessary feasibility work and, at the same time, to seek a further temporary planning permission for the Fishery Lane site in order to retain HWRC services on Hayling Island.

2. Background

2.1 The HWRC at Fishery Lane, Hayling Island is one of 24 sites operated by the County Council under Section 51 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The site has the benefit of only a temporary planning permission, which was last extended, for a three year period, in 1999. The current permission expires at the end of this year.

2.2 The site (see attached location plan) extends to some 0.09 hectare and receives some 3,300 tonnes of materials per annum. Of this total about 60% is recycled or composted. A customer survey at the site in summer 2001 indicated that the catchment area is almost exclusively restricted to Hayling Island itself. The site is mostly used to deposit green garden waste. Peak usage is at weekends in the summer.

2.3 The site lies between three caravan sites - one mainly residential, the others holiday caravan sites. Operation of the site gives rise to three main problems:

(i) noise and disturbance, particularly to the adjacent residential caravan site;

(ii) traffic congestion, which at times during summer weekends impedes access to the adjacent holiday caravan sites; and

(iii) visual intrusion, again particularly to the caravan sites.

2.4 In granting the further temporary planning consent in 1999 the former Roads and Development Sub-Committee urged that an alternative site be found for the HWRC as it considered the current site unsuitable.

3. Alternative Proposals

3.1 Since this resolution, studies have been carried out both into the development of a new site and improvement of the existing site.

Development of a New Site

3.2 A site search carried out in 1999 revealed only one location for a suitable replacement. This was at Mill Rythe Lane, in the northern part of the island. Two potential sites were identified in this location, but both required considerable improvements to the road access and landscaping measures to mitigate visual impacts. Development of the preferred site is estimated to cost about £1 million, including land acquisition, highway improvements and landscaping.

3.3 A further site search has recently been carried out and has revealed another possible site on the island. Investigations are ongoing regarding the availability and suitability of this site. Subject to these enquiries, a preliminary feasibility study will be undertaken.

Improvement of the Existing Site

3.4 Given the apparent high cost in relocating the existing facility, a feasibility study has been carried out to examine options to improve the existing site to provide mitigation measures for the problems of noise, traffic congestion and visual impact.

3.5 The principal improvement proposals are to:

(i) move some activities away from the boundary with the residential caravan site and provide a noise and visual screen; and

(ii) provide more space on-site for vehicle queueing and, preferably, a separate servicing area to minimise the time taken to change the containers, during which time the site currently has to close.

3.6 In order to effect these improvements, land would be required from the adjacent water treatment works. Preliminary enquiries have indicated that Southern Water would be prepared to release the necessary land, subject to the provision by the County Council of a new access track.

3.7 The overall cost of improvements is likely to be up to £300,000. Even with these works it is unlikely that the site would be considered suitable for permanent use as an HWRC.

Alternative Provision of Services

3.8 The predominant use of the site is for green garden waste. The HWRC service could be supplemented by a kerbside collection of green waste, which would reduce the intensity of use of the HWRC, particularly at summer weekends. This would also help ease congestion at the site. Such service could be provided in association with an improved site, or as an alternative to a fixed HWRC site. The option of smaller or mobile collection facilities is also being examined.

Closure of the Site

3.9 Closure of the site is an option, in association with the alternative services indicated above, or simply providing the service at the next nearest site in Harts Farm Way, Havant. This option was tested at a recent public consultation workshop, but was viewed as unpopular by most participants because it would add pressure to the route linking the island to the main land. It could also lead to reduced recycling and fly tipping.

4. Comments

4.1 Public consultation has established a strong local demand for the provision of an HWRC on Hayling Island to support local recycling and avoid the need to travel to the main land. The catchment area for such a provision is small in comparison to many sites across the county. A balance needs to be struck between providing a local service for waste disposal and recycling and the cost of such provision, bearing in mind the many competing demands on the service across the county.

4.2 Having regard to this, it is suggested that the cost of establishing a site at Mill Rythe Lane does not represent best value for the service as a whole. The site revealed by the recent site search may offer better value, but it will not be possible to establish this before planning permission on the current site expires at the end of December. It is therefore considered essential to secure continuity of the service by requesting a further temporary planning permission on the basis that proposals for an alternative site or improvements to the existing site are actively being pursued.

4.3 The improvement proposals for the Fishery Lane site are likely to enable the HWRC service to continue in the short term, but are unlikely to provide a long term solution. Such works may however provide the opportunity to trial the provision of alternative waste collection services on the island. Proposals for relocation of the Harts Farm Way site at Havant are also progressing and will provide greater capacity in this area within the next three years.

5. The Way Forward

5.1 The following action plan is suggested:

(i) Secure a further short term temporary planning permission on the Fishery Lane site, with some minor improvements to the access and provision of noise screening, in order to maintain an HWRC service on the island.

(ii) Continue to investigate the availability and suitability of the site revealed by the recent site search.

(iii) Complete feasibility studies on the options to improve the Fishery Lane site to enable provision of a fixed service on the island in the medium term.

(iv) Develop plans for alternative waste collection and recycling services on the island.

(v) Report all feasible options back to this Committee in January for approval of further public consultation.

Recommendation

That officers be instructed to pursue the action plan outlined in paragraph 5.1 and report back to the Committee on the outcome.

7295/AWL