Former Helix factory site earmarked in plans for new waste depot
A huge recycling depot could be built on the former Helix factory site in Lye under new plans set to be given the green light by planning bosses next week.
The facility would be built at the old Helix stationery site in Engine Lane and could create around 50 jobs. However some letters of objection have been submitted to the plans for the plant, which would process 40,000 tons of waste a year.
The site would be accessed from Bott Lane and would also see the a weighbridge, a single storey portacabin, a bund screen, a wheel wash area, a car park and a HGV parking area created.
The planning application will be discussed at Dudley Council’s development control committee meeting next Tuesday, where it has been recommended for approval, subject to conditions, by planning officers.
Dudley Labour leader and Lye and Stourbridge North Councillor Peter Lowe said the plans had received a ‘mixed’ response from the community.
He said: “I think the application has potential to be good for the area – but the views of the community are so important for these plans.
“It will be about how well the applicants have engaged with the residents in consultation.
“It would certainly create more jobs for the area, but I have been trying to gage the views of the community which has been fairly mixed for these plans. They need to strike the balance of regeneration and the much-needed jobs in the area.”
Four letters of objection to the application were received by the council, with concerns raised regarding the operating hours, light pollution, damage caused to roads by HGVs, noise and that the site should be used housing.
A report to the council meeting says: “The site would recycle around 40,000 tons per annum of aggregate material from construction and highways maintenance waste by crushing, screening and blending materials for use off site.
The site would be open from Monday to Friday 6.30am to 5pm, and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays, although any screening plant would be subject of a late start time.
The former factory, which ceased production around 2004, has since been demolished. It employed around 700 people at its height. The firm left the town after French stationery giant Maped completed the buyout of the company.
