New waste depot for Turnpike Close, Grantham, is a step closer after budget of £8 million approved

A new waste depot for Grantham took a step closer after a budget of £8 million was approved for the plan.

Members of the cabinet of South Kesteven District Council gave their backing to the scheme which, if finally approved by the full council, will see a new depot built off Turnpike Close in Grantham.

Council leader Councillor Richard Cleaver told today’s (Monday) meeting of the cabinet that the current site off Alexander Road was ‘not fit for purpose’. He said it was recommended that a working group should be set up to monitor the project and make sure that it was delivered on budget and on time.

The Alexandra Road site would remain operational until the new site was ready, to enable a smooth transition. It is hoped the new site would be ready no later than April 2025.

Councillor Paul Stokes, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said he was all in favour of the depot plan and the costings, but said he thought the timeline for the depot to be ready was “exceedingly ambitious”.

Councillor Mark Whittington, chairman of the council’s finance committee, said that progress on the project should be “in the public domain as much as possible” through the working committee.

Councillor Charmaine Morgan said there had been concerns that the cost of the new site would increase because of factors such as the Ukraine conflict and shortage of supplies. But deputy leader of the council Ashley Baxter said the £8 million price tag was based on the best evidence there was. If the figure looks like being much higher, he expected the plans would be brought back before committee.

The cabinet unanimously approved the allocation of £8 million for the project and to delegate authority to officers to allocate further funding if required due to unforeseen costs. They also agreed that a working group should be set up. These decision will have to be ratified by the full council.