Exciting news for Eastleigh as plans for a new materials recovery facility are set to move forward after government clarity on recycling.
Eastleigh: Hampshire County Council is kicking off plans for a new materials recovery facility. They’ve included it in a big £1.1 billion capital program. This is a huge step for the area.
Back in October 2022, they approved a £30 million investment for this project. It’s all about keeping up with the recycling rules set out in the Environment Act 2021.
Things hit a snag when the council paused the project, waiting for clearer guidance on how to handle dry mixed recycling. The government’s rules really shape what they can build and how much it’ll cost.
In November 2024, the government finally laid out its plans for managing materials. They want a maximum of four containers for different types of waste, which is a bit different from what’s happening in Hampshire.
Now that they have the green light, the county council is ready to move ahead with the new facility in Eastleigh. They’re also planning to upgrade the existing one in Portsmouth to help with paper and cardboard recycling.
However, the costs have jumped to £50.5 million, which is quite a bit more than they first thought. They expect to pick a contractor in the first half of 2025, with construction starting in the fall and lasting about two years.
Originally, they hoped to open the facility in March 2026, but now it looks like it’ll be 2027. Patrick Blogg, the director of universal services, mentioned that the government’s timeline was a bit tight.
He said it was unreasonable for the government to drop the recycling system details right before Christmas and still expect it to be ready by 2026.
Cllr Lulu Bowerman, the cabinet member for highways and waste, expressed her excitement. She said they’ve been waiting a long time for clarity on recycling, and it’s finally happening. It’s a great way to kick off the new year!
