Date: 13 November 2006 20:16 HAVE YOUR SAY ON RECYCLING AND GREENER QUARRYING PLANS A massive six week public consultation will be launched on November 6 into plans to deal with Cambridgeshire's waste and mineral extraction over the next 15 years. A series of exhibitions and roadshows are being held across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to encourage people to have their say. Cambridgeshire County Council chiefs have recommended that no new landfill sites are opened up in Cambridgeshire and that more emphasis should be put on recycling. Councillors suggest that more emphasis should be put on the development of an extensive network of modern waste recycling facilities. They also propose that new quarries should be located where they can help protect and enhance the environment. The recommendations form part of the emerging Minerals and Waste Plan for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Government has asked Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council to put together a long-term strategy for dealing with mineral extraction and waste management. Draft preferred options for the plan has been agreed by Cambridgeshire County Council's Cabinet who now want to hear the public views. The draft plans recommend that no new landfill sites for non hazardous waste are opened up in Cambridgeshire and much more emphasis should be put on recycling. Whilst plans for hazardous waste disposal at Warboys have been withdrawn, an extension to an already existing hazardous waste landfill at Thornhaugh near Peterborough, to deal with special un-recyclable material arising from the construction industry, is recommended. Planners are also proposing major new quarries where they can help protect and enhance the environment. Major expansion of quarrying near Mepal would help create holding areas for floodwater in the future, which currently poses a threat to ground nesting birds, in a long-term bid to help protect wildlife interests on the Ouse Washes. Other quarry restoration schemes, possibly involving use of waste subsoils generated by the construction industry, could also benefit nature conservation projects. Due to vehicle access problems, proposals to extend mineral quarries in the Earith and Somersham area were recommended for rejection having taken the concerns of local residents into account. Proposals for a Household Waste Recycling Centre at Glebe Farm to serve developments on the Cambridge Southern fringe have been recommended for rejection in favour of another site, already in waste management use, near Hauxton. The relocation of the existing Cambridge Waste Water Treatment works from Milton to Honey Hill East has also been supported. Planners have identified land for a smaller but more modern facility to be built on land East of Honey Hill, to enable the exiting site to be redeveloped for housing and jobs as proposed in Cambridge City Council's plan. Planners undertook a major search for the site and have listened to local concerns. A new facility will mean much stricter planning controls can be imposed. The movement of the facility is needed to make way for housing development at the old site. The draft recommendations follows a major public consultation involving representations from 2,600 people which raised around 5,800 issues. Cambridgeshire County Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Services, said: "This plan will provide a framework for dealing with the needs of Cambridgeshire's mineral extraction and waste management. With thousands of homes due to be built in the County it is important that we plan for this properly and where possible take into consideration the views of the public. Moving away from landfill and towards more recycling is very important in reducing the waste mountain that costs tax payers millions every year. These preferred options are just proposals at the moment and we wantto hear the public's views on these suggestions. This is the start of the formal process and there will be further public consultation next year." Exhibitions (not staffed): * Cambourne Library, Sackville House, Sackville Way, Great Cambourne, Cambridge, CB3 6HD.From Tuesday 14th November until Thursday 16th November during normal opening hours. * Ely Library, 6 The Cloisters, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4ZH. From Tuesday 28th November until Thursday 30th November during normal opening hours. * Huntingdon Library, Princes Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3PH. From Tuesday 5th December until Thursday 7th December during normal opening hours. Staffed Exhibitions: * Teversham Primary School, Teversham - Tues 14/11 (4pm / 8pm) * Fen Ditton Church Hall, Fen Ditton - Wed 15/11 (2pm / 8pm) * Hauxton Village Hall, Hauxton - Wed 15/11 (4.30pm / 8.30pm) * Milton Bowls Pavilion, Coles Road, Milton - Thur 16/11 (2pm / 8pm) * Horningsea Millennium Pavilion, Horningsea - Fri 17/11 (2pm / 8pm) * The Fleet, Fletton - Fri 17/11 (2pm / 8pm) * The Leeds Hall, Eye - Tues 21/11 (2pm / 8pm) * St Andrews Hall, Witchford - Wed 22/11 (2pm / 8pm) * Mepal Village Hall, Mepal - Thur 23/11 (2pm / 8pm) * Whittlesey Council Chamber, Whittlesey - Thur 23/11 (2pm / 8pm) * Maxey Village Hall, Maxey - Fri 24/11 (2pm / 8pm) Dates of manned exhibitions specifically related to the relocation of the Sewage Works: Teversham Primary School - Tuesday 14th November 2006 - 4 pm until 8 pm Fen Ditton Church Hall - Wednesday 15th November 2006 - 2 pm until 8 pm Milton Bowls Pavilion - Thursday 16th November 2006 - 2 pm until 8 pm Horningsea Millennium Pavilion - Friday 17th November 2006 - 2 pm until 8 pm Additionally the County Council and Anglian Water are set to hold apublic meeting for Horningsea, Fen Ditton, Stow-Cum-Quy, Teversham and Milton in the fourth week of the consultation period : Bottisham Village College on Monday 27th November from 7pm until 9pm. John Reynolds