A controversial bulk recycling facility will be built in Abermule, councillors are expected to be told.
At Friday's full council meeting it is expected that Powys county councillors will be told that the controversial £4 million Bulking Facility at Abermule will be going ahead.
An in depth report has been put together by officers stating why they believe that building a Bulking Facility at the village is the only option for the county.
This is despite a vigorous campaign by protestors against the facility which Powys County Council (PCC) says is needed to ensure they hit Welsh Government future recycling targets.
The report by Waste and Recycling Strategy Manager, Ashley Collins, looks at a total of 13 sites where the facility could be built.
But reasons are found to dismiss them all and then come back to Abermule.
They also list the consultation that was done by PCC before a planning application on the land for the facility was discussed at the Planning Committee in August 2018.
It shows what would be the minimum requirement and that PCC has done more than that.
The report also notes the meetings with Abermule Communities Together (ACT) since the Full Council meeting in January when councillors refused to pass forward £2.7 million earmarked for the project unless the name was changed to North Powys facility.
In February the rolling over of the cash known as a “Virement”was passed with the figure climbing to more than £3 million.
Councillors voted in this way to ensure that ACT was given the time to find alternative sites.
This had been agreed at a public meeting in Abermule on December 4, 2018.
But time has run out.
Mr Collins says that the recommendation will go to cabinet with a view: “to continue with the development af the North Powys Recycling Bulking Facility at the Abermule Business Park.
“This is on the basis that it is the most suitable site available for the development of the facility.
“Any alternative would result in considerable additional cost to the authority, which is not provided for in the approved capital programme, and likely to also result in similar opposition from interested parties.
“Due to the size of the overall site, the development has been designed
to have the recycling facility furthest away from residential properties,
with the business units and the railway line in between.”
The Abermule site is considered very well suited for a Bulk Recycling
Facility for the following reasons because:
It meets Local Development Plan requirements.
Is ideally located between Welshpool and Newtown
Suitable road network already in place
Land is owned by PCC ownership
Mr Collins added: “Whenever a facility that handles waste and recycling is proposed, there are always concerns raised, the majority of which are misplaced based on misinformation and often scaremongering.
The report also criticises protestors for posting “misinformation” on social which has been used as media articles.
Mr Collins adds: “Further discussions were then held as regards the reporting of incorrect information on social media and in the press.
“The group was asked to approach the nominated lead officer with any questions or concerns so that they could be given factual information so that the community had an informed viewpoint.
“It is disappointing to note that subsequent social media posts still appear not to be in the spirit of this request, with inaccurate information being presented as fact.”
Photo: An impression of how the bulk recycling facility and business park will look
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter
