Plans for Newhaven food waste facility abandoned

Plans to turn a former waste transfer site in Newhaven, East Sussex, into one that handles food waste have been abandoned.

Local people and Newhaven Town Council had objected to the scheme in Lewes Road over concerns about noise, odour and the risk of attracting vermin.

Lewes District Council planning officers had recommended approval, but the plans were put on hold in May.

On Thursday the authority announced they were being abandoned altogether.

Instead the site will be used to park and charge up the council's fleet of electric vehicles, as well as a staff cycle rack and the storage of wheelie bins, pending a new planning application, with full details on the council's website.

Wendy Maples, cabinet member for wellbeing, said: "I know this news will be welcomed by the residents who were concerned.

"As promised, we listened and paused so we could reflect on the previous plans and consider all our options.

"During the pause a new site arose which will better meet the needs of the district and means we will not bring food waste into Newhaven.

"We remain committed to increasing levels of recycling in the district, including composting food waste, so I'm delighted that we have been able to identify an alternative site to make this happen."

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