£30m state-of-art recycling hub due to open in 2023

A NEW state-of-the-art recycling hub in Keynsham is set to cost nearly £30 million.

The Pixash Lane site is expected to meet demand for the next 40 years when it opens to the public in 2023.

It will take on many of the back-office functions currently in Bath when the Midland Road site shuts for redevelopment – but Bath and North East Somerset Council has assured residents they will have uninterrupted access to a recycling centre.

A paper detailing a possible alternative will be presented at the cabinet meeting on July 20, when members will decide whether to dedicate £13.6m funding, on top of the £16.3m previously committed for Keynsham’s new recycling centre, to take the project forward.

The cost increases have been blamed on “complex ground conditions, extent of biodiversity net gain needs, highways works and detailed design and development reports”.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “Our current recycling facility at Pixash Lane is already at the limit of the tonnage it can cope with. We need a reuse and recycling hub that’s fit for our growing population and helps us meet our climate and nature priorities. It’s an ambitious proposal but a solution that’s needed to best serve residents across the district, so we’ll consider this additional funding requirement carefully.”

The Midland Road recycling centre is set to be redeveloped with 176 flats, which will be ready for occupation in 2026.

Mr Wood added: “Residents in Bath will have uninterrupted access to a local recycling centre.

“An alternative to the Midland Road facility to provide at least one recycling centre in the city of Bath will also be considered at the cabinet meeting.”

Planning committee members will consider the application on July 28.