Recycling plant backed, despite traffic concerns

To the south and east of the proposed site is Trumps Farm, which is now a closed landfill site

Plans to build a recycling plant in Chertsey have been approved, despite concerns about increased traffic around the site.

Earlier this year Surrey County Council (SCC) outlined proposals for a material recycling centre on Trumps Farm, arguing that the existing infrastructure is "under strain".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Kitsmead Lane site in Longcross will be capable of processing up to 100,000 tonnes of recycling each year – with 164 rubbish vehicle 'movements' every day.

When approving the plans earlier this week, the SCC planning committee called for a transport plan to be drawn up.

Officers told the meeting on Wednesday: "Understandably, there still have been concerns about the potential for this to add further vehicles through some of the more sensitive locations.

"To that end we are also recommending, as part of the travel-plan condition, more details on the exact routes that will be used and what measures are in place to minimise movements through sensitive places."

Once built, recycling will be taken from the north and west of Surrey. Currently this gets shipped out to Kent, with a small amount dealt with in Leatherhead.

The new facility will therefore mean fewer long journeys out of the county, but an intensification in lorries around the site. This prompted the calls for a transport plan.

The plans were voted through unanimously after hearing the former green belt site where the facility is located was now classified as grey field.

Runnymede Borough Council had raised concerns over the size of the building and the impact on nearby residents, and similar views were expressed in 21 letters of objection.

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