‘Hazardous’ Torbay tip must expand

Torbay is going to need a bigger tip – and the bay’s councillors are ready to pay the price to make it happen.

Members of the cabinet committee have agreed to invoke a compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the land needed for the new tip if current negotiations with the landowner fall down.
They heard that the current tip is cramped and hazardous.
That will mean the current waste transfer station at Yalberton on the outskirts of Paignton can expand into open land and a disused quarry next door if the council buys the land.
Members of the committee voted to back a report that explained how the tip needs more space for recycling, food collections and handling plastics among other things.
The report said: “Space is already at a premium, leaving no room for future-proofing. From a traffic management perspective, the current layout presents significant health and safety risks due to the interaction of vehicles and pedestrians.
“The existing household waste recycling centre design does not meet best practice standards, and the use of raised platforms and steps further increases the risk of accidents and injuries.”
And, it goes on: “Investment in a new or significantly upgraded facility is essential.”
Controlling seagulls is among the significant costs of the current tip, along with running repairs to the road surfaces. Netting has been installed in an effort to control the gulls.
Negotiations to buy the site from the landowner will continue, but the council will now have the CPO available if all else fails.
Cllr Adam Billings (Con, Churston with Galmpton) told the meeting: “We need more space for recycling, and more space to comply with health and safety. There is a lot of logic in using our existing site location, which is relatively central for Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.”
No potential figure has been published on how much a CPO might cost.