WORK to start building the eagerly anticipated new Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) in Newquay is due to get underway next year.
Cornwall Council proposes to construct the much-needed facility adjacent to the Newquay Strategic Route opposite Hendra Holiday Park.
The scheme follows criticism the household waste recycling centre at Trevenson Road is no longer fit for purpose.
Residents fear the facility is becoming too dangerous due to the length of its queues.
More than 50 cars are regularly at a standstill outside the centre, which has resulted in many motorists attempting to overtake causing several nearer misses with oncoming traffic.
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “The site design for the new Newquay HWRC has been agreed in principle and would be located within the Hendra quarter of the Duchy’s Nansledan development.
“The new site would be a modern split-level design, which would provide increased capacity for commodities and would have two designated onsite queueing lanes, to minimise the likelihood of vehicles visiting the site impacting other road users.
“The preliminary site investigations have been completed and the formal report was received in May 2024. This covers a phase one desk study and phase two site investigation.
“The findings on the report show that the site is uncontaminated, has no mining issues and comprises clean inert soils. There are no particular issues highlighted for the proposed development.
“Heads of terms for the land swap of the existing HWRC plot and the new plot are in a position to be finalised. Once complete the existing plot (3900m2) will transfer to the Duchy and we will take control of the plot at Hendra (6050m2) for construction of the new HWRC and proposed reuse building. We will retain use of the existing HWRC until such time as the new site is able to officially open.
“We are now working with our waste disposal contractor Suez to prepare all the information required to submit to the Duchy to comply with the requirements of the Local Development Order (LDO).
“Once LDO approval is secured and a construction tender is let, we anticipate a build period of nine to 12 months. During this time, we will also work with the Environment Agency to obtain the Environmental Permit to operate the site.
“It is still the working intention to progress with the LDO application in 2024 and be in a position to start works on site in 2025.”
Cornwall Council plan to apply to the Secretary of State for Transport to close vehicle access across the level crossing at Trencreek and at Chapel as soon as the Newquay Strategic Route opens, which is scheduled to be early 2025.