Wakefield: Welbeck Landfill Site to become country park under plans

The site near Normanton has attracted complaints since it opened in 1998

Plans to begin turning a rubbish tip in West Yorkshire into a country park are set to be given the green light.

Welbeck Landfill Site near Normanton could become Welbeck Country Park under proposals from Wakefield Council.

Council officers have recommended approving funding of £275,000 for the first phase of the project, which would take three years to complete.

The council's cabinet will decide on the plans for the 200-hectare site at a meeting on Tuesday.

Cabinet member for environment and climate change Jack Hemingway said: "Welbeck's new future is as a country park."

Mr Hemingway wants the site to move away from its current use

The first phase would see the creation of circular walking trails, natural woodlands and grasslands, cycling trails and links to existing trails in the area, he added.

Areas for viewing wildlife would also be created, Mr Hemingway said.

More work is expected to be carried out over the next 15 years as more sections of the landfill site are restored.

Future facilities could include building a visitor centre, a café and a cycling hub.

Uncertain future

The area was a quarry before it became a landfill site in 1998.

A report to councillors said there was "a level of uncertainty" around the timeline for completion of the landfill operations due to legal challenge by tip operators Welbeck Waste Management Ltd (WWML).

In November, the council's planning committee rejected the company's application to continue tipping waste at the site for two extra years. Its current lease agreement expires in 2033, according to a council report.

The decision has gone to appeal and a Planning Inspectorate hearing is expected to take place later this year.

WWML said it needed more time to fill the remaining capacity at the site due to a shortage of materials going to landfill.

The report added: "The activity will therefore focus on the areas of land which are within the council's direct control and outside of the area of land leased to WWML."  

Mr Hemingway said: "In time, Welbeck will become an important destination for recreation, a haven for nature, a valuable green space and source of biodiversity.

"It's days as a landfill site must come to an end."