Proposals to improve waste and recycling facilities for residents in Bath and North East Somerset are being consulted on by the council.

The proposals would see the council consolidate its current operational facilities at Pixash Lane and Ashmead Road in Keynsham onto a redeveloped site at Pixash Lane, which is just to the east of the Ashmead industrial area. The "behind the scenes" operational waste and recycling transfer station currently at Midland Road in Bath would also move to the site, and Bath will have its own recycling centres for the public to visit.

Sites in Bath are being identified to replace the public Household Waste Recycling Centre at Midland Road, with the public being consulted on their ideas both for sites and future recycling. One site under consideration is next to the Odd Down park and ride. Bath residents will not be left without at least one, and possibly more, centres for household waste and recycling in the city.

The state-of the-art facility is planned to meet current pressures and future demand from an increasing population, providing a new home for the refuse, recycling and garden waste collection vehicles and crews who deal with the rubbish and recycling that people put out for collection at the kerbside at their houses. This will help improve our services to the public by ensuring all collections are efficient and reliable and will allow us to safely sort increased quantities of waste for recycling.

A new purpose-built public household waste & recycling centre is part of the proposals. This will be quicker and easier for residents to use, with expanded recycling provision to make it easier for people to recycle even more. It will also help reduce general waste and operational costs.

In line with the council's climate and ecological emergency declarations, the scheme will be designed with carefully considered sustainability measures built-in, including construction design and materials, energy efficiency, renewable power, and future maintenance considerations.

The scheme is being designed with future flexibility in mind, to adapt to new recycling developments and technologies and also carbon reduction measures such as electric vehicle conversion.

The council is seeking the views of local people about the proposals from now until December 21st. To view and comment on the proposals click HERE : the B&NES site

If anyone is unable to access the information online, they can telephone: 01225 423400 for assistance and support.

There is a longstanding commitment to redevelop the current waste site at Midland Road for much-needed housing, including affordable homes.

The EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) scoping report that has been submitted for consideration by the council's planning department and external consultees is the first stage of the EIA process, prior to a detailed report going before the Planning Committee.

The council is asking for ideas on the new waste and recycling centres it is planning for the city. The email address for suggestions is

[email protected]

The closing date for suggestions is Friday 1st January

Feasibility reviews are also being undertaken at the Old Welton Reuse and Recycling Centre in Midsomer Norton, looking at improvements to ensure it can respond to current and future demands of the local community.

An application has also been submitted to demolish buildings and a number of run-down outbuildings on the council land at Pixash Lane, Keynsham. These have deteriorated in condition and pose health and safety risks. Over the past year they have been subject to vandalism and there are increasing costs to securing and maintaining them to an acceptable standard.

The buildings would be safely demolished and the site cleared in accordance with stringent planning and environmental controls. Ahead of the demolition works, the site would be securely fenced off, allowing contractors to safely undertake all clearance works away from the general public. These works would be carried out during normal working hours to minimise disruption to residents and businesses in the vicinity, who will be notified in advance of the start on site.

All feedback from the consultation will be considered as part of the council's formal planning application which will be submitted next year.

Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services, said: "The Keynsham proposal aims to create a sustainable, modern facility and make it easier for us all to recycle and reduce our waste, reducing costs and contributing to our climate emergency goals. We look forward to sharing our plans with our local communities and hearing their feedback."