ITEM CA8 CABINET – 17 MARCH 2009
DETAILED PROJECT APPRAISAL – REMOVAL OF FLY-TIPPED WASTE FROM REDBRIDGE HOLLOW TRAVELLERS SITE
Report by Head of Property
Name of the Scheme: Redbridge Hollow – Removal of Fly-Tipped WasteAppraisal No: R7
Basis of Estimate: Mouchel Cost Estimate of January 2008 (Updated in October 2008)
Introduction and Description of the Project
1. The site where waste has been fly-tipped is located off the A34 Hinskey Hill interchange adjacent to the Redbridge Hollow traveller site.
2. To the left hand side of the entrance of the traveller’s site is a rectangular plot of approximately 20m x 100m (half an acre) - Plot 1 and to the right hand side a smaller area approximately 15m x 50m (approximately one fifth of an acre) - Plot 2.
3. Annex 1 (download as .doc file) and Annex 2 (download as .doc file) are location plans showing the layout of the Redbridge Hollow site and the location of the fly-tipped waste.
4. Fly-tipped waste has been deposited at the site for some time. A larger proportion of the waste has been deposited on Plot 1 and the depth of it in this area of the site varies from 0.5m to 3.0m (from 20 inches to almost 10 feet). Environment Agency officers have been unable bring any prosecutions for illegal fly-tipping at Redbridge Hollow to date.
5. A visual assessment of the waste suggests that the majority of the waste consists of construction and demolition material.
6. The Council’s core property services consultant Mouchel was commissioned to develop and recommended proposals for treatment and or removal of the fly-tipped waste. Mouchel recommend that all of the material is partially treated and removed. Partial treatment will involve selective excavation and handpicking of any potentially hazardous waste, which will be put into sealed bags and removed from site. It is estimated that approximately 90% of the waste is non-hazardous. This material will be disposed of to landfill.
7. To ensure that further fly-tipping on Plots 1 and 2 is prevented in future, when the waste has been removed, the Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Service proposes to construct several new pitches on the cleared land. It is intended that construction of the new pitches will be fully funded by government grant.
8. Grant applications will be considered by government in late summer with awards announced at the end of the year. Construction of the new pitches could not begin before February 2010 at the earliest.
9. The timetable for removal of the fly-tipped waste has been developed to mitigate costs (fly-tipping continues and government has announced proposed increases in Landfill Tax in April 2009 and in 2010/11). It is envisaged that, following a competitive tender process, removal of the fly-tipped waste will begin in June 2009 and will be complete by early September 2009.
10. As a consequence there will be a period of time between completion of the waste removal and the start of the contract for construction of the new pitches when the site will be vulnerable to further fly-tipping. With the support of Environment Agency and District Council officers it is proposed that a site security strategy will be implemented. The strategy will comprise some or all of the following measures:
· Overt surveillance by CCTV cameras and high profile signage · Construction of a security fence around the site · Removal of trees to the eastern boundary · Improved lighting of the site · Measures to reduce accessibility by heavy goods vehicles · Increased monitoring of the site by District Council Officers, Environment Agency Officers assisted if necessary by the Police and Gypsy and Traveller Service staff · Immediate removal of any new waste deposits
11. Prior to removal of the waste it is proposed that trees along the eastern boundary are removed to open the site for ease of access during the clearance works and to help deter further fly-tipping. It is proposed that trees of the same species are re-planted as part of the scheme for construction of new pitches on the site.
12. Part of the Redbridge Hollow site infringes on the Thames flood plain. The layout of the new pitches will need to be designed so that no part of any concrete pitch surface is constructed with-in the boundary of the flood plain.
Need for Project
13. There are a number of reasons why the fly-tipped waste should be removed:-
· Fly-tipping is illegal and the Council should do all that it reasonably can to prevent fly-tipping on its land.
· The fly-tipped waste is visually obtrusive.
· There have been numerous complaints from members of the public about the frequent burning of waste on and the appearance of the site.
· The volume of material tipped on the site continues to increase.
· Landfill Tax is due to increase on the 1st April 2009 to £40 per tonne (reflected in the Financial Project Appraisal) with a subsequent increase to £48 per tonne in the 2010/11 tax year
Consistency with Strategy
14. Removal of the fly tipped material and development of the cleared site is consistent with the Councils strategic priority of protecting and enhancing the county’s environment.
15. Using the cleared land to accommodate new pitches is also consistent with government policy of providing an increased number of pitches on authorised Traveller sites to reduce unauthorised camping.
16. The government announced in December 2007 a further £97 million in Government funding for the period 2008 to 2011 to help local authorities meet the housing needs of Gypsy and Traveller families.
Environmental and Other Factors
17. Particular care will be taken to contain any hazardous waste which may be discovered during excavation work.
Other Reasonable Options
18. Other options have been considered, including leaving part or all of the waste material in-situ and landscaping the affected areas of the site. However, District Council and Environment Agency officers have expressed preference for removal of all the material and the subsequent construction of new pitches. This option leaves the site clear of all inert and contaminated waste and provides space for much needed new pitches.
19. It is intended that construction of the new pitches will be fully funded by government grant. Provision of the new pitches is not part of this project and will be the subject of a separate project appraisal.
Land Ownership
20. The Council is freehold owner of the Redbridge Hollow site including the affected land.
Financial Implications
21. Annex 3 (download as .doc file) is a detailed assessment of project costs. The current estimated cost of the project is £1.18 million inclusive of professional fees and a 10% contingency sum.
Timing/Phasing of the Project
22. It is envisaged that, following a competitive tender process, removal of the fly-tipped material will begin in June 2009 and will be complete by early September 2009.
RECOMMENDATION
23. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve this Detailed Project Appraisal for the Removal of Fly-Tipped Waste from Redbridge Hollow Travellers Site
NEIL MONAGHAN Head of Property Environment & Economy
Background Papers: Nil
Contact Officer: Greg Lowe Property Services Tel: 01865 815532
25 February 2009
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