Community reminded about Stoneyhill Resource Recovery Park exhibitions as chosen design is unveiled

People are being encouraged to attend the public exhibitions on the proposed Stoneyhill Resource Recovery Park development as the chosen design for the facilities is unveiled this week.

Recycling and resource management company SITA UK said that, following feedback from the community, the Agricultural design (pictured) had been chosen for the building, which will house sophisticated equipment that will greatly reduce the amount of Aberdeenshire waste sent to landfill.

When SITA UK held its first set of exhibitions about the plans earlier this year, it asked the public to give their views on four concept designs. The Landscape and Agricultural designs were both popular and, following additional discussion with engineering and landscaping specialists, the Agricultural design was chosen.

This design is consistent with the rural nature of the area, while its varied heights of pitched roofs reflect the rolling topography of the landscape.

The individual roofs also limit the highest point of the building to the gasification facility and break up the roofline, reducing its visual impact.

People can see the final proposal for the resource recovery park at a second set of exhibitions, when details about a separate planning application to amend the closure date of Stoneyhill landfill site will also be on show.

The exhibitions will be held on:
Tuesday, June 14 – 2pm to 7pm – Red House Hotel, Cruden Bay

Wednesday, June 15 – 2pm to 8pm – Longhaven Hall, Longhaven

SITA UK has been awarded the contract to manage the treatment and disposal of Aberdeenshire’s Waste for the next 15 years.

It plans to develop essential infrastructure to reduce the amount of Aberdeenshire household waste sent to landfill by 70 percent and increase recycling and composting by 20,000 tonnes a year.

This will include a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) facility, incorporating in-vessel composting (IVC), and gasification plant adjacent to the existing Stoneyhill landfill site, which is 1.5km west of Longhaven and 7km south west of Peterhead.

The facility would lead to the creation of approximately 200 jobs during the peak periods of construction and about 40 permanent operational jobs.

Martin Cracknell, SITA UK’s Strategic Development Manager, said: "Aberdeenshire residents produce about 150,000 tonnes of domestic waste a year. Of this, about 50 tonnes is recycled or reused, leaving around 100,000 tonnes going to Stoneyhill landfill.

"This is not sustainable and Aberdeenshire needs to develop a new way to manage its waste if it is to meet Government targets and reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill to avoid expensive taxes and potential fines."

He said it was an issue that involved everyone in the county and so encouraged as many people as possible to attend the exhibitions to find out more.