WHERE do you believe Gloucestershire should dump its waste?

One of the biggest public consultation programmes the county has ever seen is under way now.

Gloucestershire County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to approve the consultation which asks people what they think about sites put forward to be included in its Waste Core Strategy 2011-2026.

The consultation started yesterday, Monday, October 5 and runs until November 30.

The strategy is a planning document which, by law, all Waste Planning Authorities have to produce.

It sets out how we deal with waste in the county and includes sites that are suitable for dealing with waste.

There are 13 sites listed and these have been identified from a list of more than 300 sites using strict criteria including transport links and prevention of flooding.

None of these sites have been or will be included in the plan at this stage – this is just the chance for people to have their say.

There are no plans in place for what could go on any of the sites so people are only being asked to comment on the locations themselves.

The results of the consultation will be analysed then a report is scheduled to go to cabinet next summer for approval.

The final document will be ratified by the Secretary of State before it is finally adopted in 2011.

Six of the sites are new as waste disposal locations for the council – Easter Park at Ashchurch/Tewkesbury Industrial Estate, land next to Quadrant Business Centre in Quedgeley, Allstone north of the Railway Triangle, Nastend Farm at Stonehouse, Netheridge sewage works at Hempsted, and Hurst Farm in Lydney.

The others are areas A, B, and C of Wingmoor Farm East, and Wingmoor Farm West, Javelin Park, Smith’s recycling centre at Moreton Valence, The Park at Wingmoor Farm West, Fosse Cross at Cirencester and Lydney Industrial Estate.

The last two, plus Hurst Farm, could provide smaller scale waste treatment or act as waste transfer stations.

There are definitely no plans in place for what could go on any of the sites so people are only being asked to comment on the locations themselves.

This is separate to the council’s PFI waste project which is currently progressing alongside.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: “As I have explained previously this is not about creating 13 sites to dump our waste.

“This is simply a planning process, which the Government says we have to go through and the likelihood is that all of these sites won’t actually be used in the long run.

“We do not have any plans at all for what could be put on these sites, in fact it’s important to clarify that this consultation is only about sites which could be included in the Waste Core Strategy document – that’s all.

“I appreciate people may have concerns so it is important that they make their views known by taking part in this consultation.”

The results of the consultation will be analysed then a report is scheduled to go to Cabinet next summer for approval.

The final document will be ratified by the Secretary of State before it is finally adopted in 2011.

To submit a view as part of the consultation you can:

Complete an electronic questionnaire at http://www.engagespace.co.uk/engage/gcc (note: you will need to register your details first)

Download or pick up a copy of the questionnaire from http://www.gloucestershire/gov.uk/wcs, the county council offices at Shire Hall, all district council offices and all libraries, fill it in and send it to the following freepost address:

Minerals and Waste Planning Policy Environment Department

Gloucestershire County Council

Shire Hall

FREEPOST NAT8320

GLOUCESTER

GL1 2BR

(No stamp required)

Email your response to m-wplans@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Call 01452 425667 to ask for a copy of the questionnaire to be sent to you Write to the above freepost address (although questionnaires are encouraged to ensure a consistent set of responses)

Attend one of the Council’s roadshows – dates to be confirmed