Residents consulted over Longcross recycling facility plans

Residents are to be consulted over Surrey County Council's plans for a recycling facility which will process up to 100,000 tonnes of waste.

The council is planning to build a new processing site alongside the M3, next to a former landfill site in Longcross.

Two consultation events will be held in Chertsey and Virginia Water, as part of an engagement period running until 1 March.

The site is described as a "key part" of the council's sustainability plans.

Dry-mixed recycling from homes in the west of the county would be processed at the facility.

Paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and drinks cans would then be turned into new products.

Early plans are for a main processing building 17.5m high with 11,000m2 floorspace, external bays and a workshop and office.

The site, accessed from Kitsmead Lane, would be located next to Trumps Farm, a former landfill site that is also the responsibility of the county council.

Natalie Bramhall, cabinet member for property, waste and infrastructure, said: "By sorting recycling here in Surrey, we can reduce costs to the taxpayer, ensure we have a resilient recycling system in place and importantly, reduce the environmental impact of long-distance haulage required to transport materials out of the county."

The council expects to submit a formal planning application later this year.

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