By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
The cost of rebuilding an ageing building where waste is stored before incineration at Nottingham City Council’s Eastcroft depot has increased by more than £100,000.
A waste transfer station at the Eastcroft depot, near Nottingham Cattle Market, must be demolished and rebuilt because of potentially “dangerous” working conditions.
In November last year, the Labour-run council estimated the cost to be in the region of £420,000.
However the council says it now needs an additional £109,000 to complete the rebuild.
Therefore the total cost is now £529,000.
Delegated decision documents say: “The waste transfer station is beyond life and is in danger of being closed due to health and safety issues.
“Following the approval in November 2022, the scope of works was finalised, and the project was formally costed.
“This has resulted in a funding shortfall of £109,000.
“The Environment Agency have confirmed the council can still operate under the current permit as long as we rebuild like for like, replacing the same size
walls and existing undercover bays only and building on the original footprint.”
At the Eastcroft depot, rubbish is incinerated and turned into heat for 5,000 homes and numerous businesses across the city.
Before being incinerated, waste is sent to the transfer station, where it is treated and managed.
The facility in Nottingham saved the City Council £188,000 on disposal costs for many thousands of tonnes of waste last year.
The council says doing nothing would “significantly put the life at risk of employees operating on this site”.
Independent Cllr Andrew Rule previously said: “Given the comments in the decision about the serious health and safety risks that could arise if the work isn’t completed, I would want some assurance that proper risk management has been conducted given it appears this decision has been seemingly left to the last minute when not completing the work doesn’t appear to be a credible option.”
In total, the rebuild will cost another £63,000, while a future waste management programme will cost an additional £46,000.
When the facility is required to close for repair, the council will reallocate waste to a different site to be processed.
