South Kesteven District Council is moving forward with plans to relocate its waste collection service to a purpose-built facility fit for the 21st Century.
A proposed new depot at Turnpike Close, Grantham, would also be home to the Council’s Street Scene team including grounds maintenance, along with housing maintenance and repairs, and a workshop for in-house fleet repairs and servicing.
The land was previously occupied by Fenland Foods factory, which close, in 2018 with the loss of 700 jobs, after losing an M&S contract to provide ready meals.
The depot is expected to cost £8m to build and will future-proof the services for residents and businesses for decades to come.
The existing depot, in Alexandra Road, Grantham, was built in the 1970s and no longer meets operational needs.
The Council’s Joint Finance and Economic and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee will consider the proposal for a new depot at its meeting on Tuesday (July 25th).
A report to the committee says: “This proposal is a significant capital outlay and demonstrates the Council’s commitment to provide a modern, fit-for-purpose depot that will serve the District in the medium to long-term.”
Energy efficiency initiatives will be a key component of the depot design.
The Council’s Leader Cllr Richard Cleaver, and Deputy Leader Cllr Ashley Baxter, said: “We are a forward-thinking organisation, and this is a great opportunity to modernise essential services that touch the lives of every householder.
“Our existing depot is at the end of its operational life and will incur significant maintenance costs in the years ahead. It is also in a completely unsuitable location close to a residential area.
“Investment in a new facility will ensure that we are providing a service that is fit for the future and, with significant housing growth anticipated in the area, meets the needs of a growing population.
“Providing a modern, energy-efficient depot will also have a positive impact on the Council’s carbon reduction ambitions and sustainability will be a core part of the design process.
“In addition, a new depot will also bring improved welfare standards for a valued, frontline workforce.”
The proposals for the new depot include installing a generator that would allow the site to be used as a hub for officers to work from in the event of an emergency being declared.
The Alexandra Road depot would remain operational until the new one was ready, which would be no earlier than April 2025.
It is recommended that a comprehensive options appraisal is carried out to explore the full range of potential alternative uses for the site.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.