Food waste transfer building at Veolia, Gilmoss Transer Station, Fazakerley, Liverpool

What was proposed

The application proposed a food waste transfer building for collecting, bulking and transferring separately collected food waste for further processing and recycling.

“The Proposal To develop a food waste transfer building for the collection and transfer of source segregated food waste. This would provide a building for the collection of segregated food waste for bulking prior to onward transfer to other facilities for further processing and recycling. All waste reception and bulking operations will be undertaken within a completely enclosed building fitted with fast acting roller shutter doors.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The building would occupy a vacant, overgrown plot between existing waste facilities in an industrial estate, with homes to the north.

“Site Description The existing Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA) facilities at Bridgehouse Lane, Gillmoss include the Waste Transfer Station (WTS) and the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). The proposed site of the new food waste transfer building is a vacant and overgrown plot of land situated between the current facilities. The MWDA site as a whole is located within the Gillmoss Industrial Estate.”

“To the north of the existing MWDA site lies a residential area of two storey suburban style dwellings. Land to the east and south of the site comprise a variety of industrial/commercial units, also within the Gillmoss Industrial Estate.”

Officer report

Earlier site permissions

Earlier permissions covered a materials recovery facility, composting facility, recyclable materials bulking station, vehicle maintenance facility and waste transfer facility.

“01F/1180. To erect a bulking station for recyclable materials. Approved October 2001.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Fourteen neighbours objected, citing existing odour, flies, rats, waste backlogs and concerns that food waste would worsen conditions.

“My house is situated right at the back of the place and the smells it lets off already is absolutely disgusting so adding food waste would only add to the smell, I can't enjoy my back garden without being attacked by flies.”

“We are prisoners in our own homes year after year, several complaints made this year, not one response • We already suffer from flies, rats and strong pungent smells from the existing buildings. To have a further waste transfer building which is solely for food waste will make things unbearable.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent spoke in support, while the planning case officer summarised the application and answered questions about the Odour Management Plan.

The decision

The application was approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control.

“25F/0533 to develop a food waste transfer building for the collection and transfer of source segregated food waste, be approved subject to Conditions as proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control. _____”

“That the Application be approved, subject to Conditions as proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control.”

Minutes