Councillors have granted planning permission to an overhaul of a Calderdale household waste centre.
The Todmorden waste and recycling centre, on Halifax Road, will be completely revamped with the existing waste transfer building demolished to make way for a series of skips around the perimeter of the site.
Drivers will enter the site at the existing entrance and drive in a one-way system around the back of the site with skips lined up with raised platforms for access.
It will mirror the refurbishment of the Lee Mount waste centre which councillors on the Calderdale Council Planning Committee said has been a fantastic success.
A report presented to the committee said the improvements to the Todmorden centre will make the site more efficient and will reduce the visual impact and noise levels.
Councillor Stephen Sweeney (Lab, Todmorden) said: “I think it’s a vast improvement.”
The site is very close to a children’s play area and the plans include the felling of trees which causaed members of the public concern that this would impinge upon the playground.
However, officers said that trees would remain between the play area and the site providing a natural screen.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans but with certain conditions to be adhered to - these include opening hours limited to 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Councillor David Kirton (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) said: “I think it’s a marvellous scheme. The staff down there are so helpful.
“Hopefully this development will have a massive impact on recycling figures.”
The council says each of its household waste recycling centres is designed and laid out to make the segregation of recyclables and recoverable materials as easy and efficient as possible. There are a series of recycling banks for glass, cans, paper and so on.
There are also separate skips for more bulky items such as cardboard, plastic bottles, timber, electrical items, green waste and much more.