Residents in the Coalfields area of Sunderland could soon benefit from a new recycling centre.
In recent months, Sunderland City Council have been progressing a £5 million scheme to overhaul waste services on Wearside.
This includes relocating the Beach Street Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Deptford to a new and improved facility within the Pallion Industrial Estate, subject to planning permission.
As part of the shake-up, council bosses also announced that a ‘mini recycling centre’ would be created in the Coalfields area.
Following a site visit this week, councillors have revealed the authority’s Market Place depot in Houghton as the location for the project.
Copt Hill ward councillor Kevin Johnston, said the centre would help “combat the issues” of fly-tipping in the area.
In a statement posted on social media he added: “This is great news for our residents.
“The permit scheme will be in operation once it’s up and running meaning this site will be solely for the use of residents who live within the Coalfields.
“The permit scheme will also help control the numbers arriving and flow of traffic to the site, with upgraded access work being carried out.”
Fellow Copt Hill councillor, Jack Cunningham, said: “I know this facility will be welcomed by local residents.
“Having this closer to our residents will cut journey times and make it easier to dispose of their waste in a friendly and responsible way.
“We all want to see this sort of investment in our area and I think bringing this site to Houghton is a positive step forward for us all.”
Copt Hill councillor Melanie Thornton added the plans for the recycling centre will be brought forward within the next six weeks with a full consultation carried out with residents following the submission of the plans.
“As local Labour councillors we continue to bring forward real solutions to the problems our residents are facing and we all look forward to this site opening,” she said.
Sunderland’s household waste and recycling centres reopened last month after closing in March due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions.
The council have since introduced a new appointment booking and permit system to manage demand at sites.
Since the Beach Street tip reopened, more than 14,000 appointments have already been made.
