Plans for a new recycling centre in Weston-super-Mare, to be located just across the road from the existing facility, are projected to cost more than the extensive restoration of the nationally significant Birnbeck Pier.
On 8 September, North Somerset Council authorised initial design work for the new recycling centre and associated depot, as the lease for the current depot is nearing its July 2028 expiry. So far, £2.5 million has been approved for design, but the entire development is anticipated to cost approximately £56 million upon completion.
In comparison, the restoration of Birnbeck Pier, a project involving specialised marine contractors working in challenging tidal conditions, carries a budget of £44 million. While the pier’s restoration is largely financed through dedicated council funding, the new recycling centre’s costs will primarily be met by the council’s own resources.
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Steve Bridger, the Independent councillor representing Yatton and cabinet member overseeing the recycling centre project, described this investment as “one of the most significant since I have been a councillor.” At the council meeting, he reassured members that there would be clear checkpoints throughout the project, allowing for scrutiny of costs, affordability, risks, and the business case, with the option to pause, amend, or halt the development if required.
The existing recycling centre on Aisecombe Road has been deemed unsuitable for long-term use. More pressingly, the vehicle depot’s lease expires in mid-2028, and if the facility closes prior to the new centre’s opening, the council might face estimated additional costs of £4.6 million to transport recycling materials to other locations. Officers emphasised efforts to mitigate this risk and noted that this amount reflects a “worst-case scenario.”
The proposed new site lies at the former Avoncrest landfill, adjacent to the current centre.
Following the council meeting, Mr Bridger commented, “We recognise that the scale of investment required is significant. However, we have undertaken detailed benchmarking with other councils that have recently delivered similar facilities, engaged specialist expertise, and rigorously tested our assumptions and cost estimates.”
For context, Bath and North East Somerset recently opened a ‘state-of-the-art’ recycling centre in Keynsham in 2024, costing £41.8 million. Mr Bridger highlighted that “construction costs for major infrastructure projects have increased considerably in recent years,” emphasising the council’s commitment to ensuring residents have confidence in the project’s robust planning and realistic cost assessments.
Funding sources for the new centre are still being explored. Potential options include cost savings at existing waste recycling centres, maximising revenue from recycled materials sales, applying waste management grants, and borrowing.
The council has voted to commence the design and planning stage. This phase will include finalisation of overall project costs to enable a fully informed investment decision, which is expected to occur towards the end of the following year.