The London borough of Bromley has successfully completed the acquisition of the former Waste4fuel site in Orpington, allowing waste firm Veolia to begin removal of a ‘waste mountain’ left on the site.
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Clearance of the Waste4fuel site in Bromley will be carried out by Veolia
The deal comes after months of negotiations between the Environment Agency and the former landowner, brokered by Bromley council.
The land deal was announced ‘in principle’ earlier this month (see letsrecycle.com story).
As the council now owns both the land and the access road leading to it, work to remove the waste will start shortly, following several weeks of logistical planning by the council’s waste contractor, Veolia.
The estimated total cost of securing the land and clearing the waste mound is estimated to be £2.7million, with the Environment Agency securing much of the funding and the council contributing £300,000.
The site in Cornwall Drive, located near to housing and the A20 Sidcup By Pass, has been the scene of repeated fires (see letsrecycle.com story).
‘Delighted’
Councillor Colin Smith, deputy leader for Bromley council, said: “The council is absolutely delighted to have achieved this result and to now be able to deliver on our long standing promise to local residents.
“This is truly a red letter day for those worst affected and I am thrilled for them all. There have been many twists and turns, disappointments and bumps along the way, but we have remained resolutely focussed throughout and for the first time are now in the position to be able to tackle the task which has caused so much unhappiness for so long, namely removing this disgusting blot from the Cray landscape forever.”
Cllr Smith added: “We will shortly be writing to those most immediately affected by the impending works to keep them informed as to key operational dates and other possible issues of local interest as the project develops.”
‘Misery’
Sir James Bevan, Environment Agency chief executive, said: “Our Environment Agency team have been working for years to resolve this issue. I visited the site and saw for myself the misery this has caused for local residents.
“It will be welcome news to them that these complicated negotiations have finally come to a satisfactory conclusion. We will support London Borough of Bromley to get the site cleared as soon as possible.”
Fire risk
The Environment Agency has worked in partnership with the council to find a permanent solution for the site, which has continued to be a fire risk.
Work to remove waste associated will now be able to go-ahead, removing the need for the Environment Agency and the London Fire Brigade to continue to regularly monitor and inspect the site, the Agency has said.
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Source: letsrecycle.com General
