Plans for new metal recycling facility in the Black Country
A metal recycling facility which could process 50,000 tons of metal per year could be built if plans are accepted.
Plans for the new facility in Smethwick, along with a fire water tank and a mobile generator, will be considered by Sandwell Council in the coming months.
Dunn Bros Recycling Ltd has applied for permission for change of use of the site in James Watt Industrial Park, Steel Bright Road.
Six new jobs would be created if the plan is accepted by the council’s planning department.
Agent Lucinda Hall says in the plans: “This planning application seeks consent to carry out the sorting, separation, grinding and granulating of metals for recovery within the existing warehouse building.
Waste
“The application also seeks to add a small mobile external generator for the production of electricity to power the plant, a 50,000-litre fire water tank and a weighbridge.
“Waste accepted at the warehouse will only be via prior approved arrangements and all paperwork and waste received will be checked to ensure that operations conform to the Environment Agency permit.
“Any waste that is identified as being non-acceptable will be rejected. The non-conforming waste will be immediately reloaded and returned to the waste provider.”
The Old Corner House Pub is 55m to the west of the site and the closest residential property is located about 115m to the rear of the existing warehouse unit on Oakfield Road.
Development
Ms Hall adds in the report: “The waste materials to be processed on site will be non-hazardous automotive shredder residue derived from the processing of end of life vehicles.
“The proposed development seeks to continue to develop and improve current waste management practices.
“The directors of Dunn Bros Recycling Ltd have over 55 years of experience working within the waste management and metals recycling industry, having previously operated several sites within the UK.
“The Dunn Brothers have been at the forefront of developing improvements in the metals recycling industry.”
A “crusher”, metal separator, and granulation plant will be used among other items at the facility.
Waste materials will be processed between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and between 7am and 1pm on Saturdays, and there will be a maximum of 10 HGVs per day. Access to and from the site is via Steel Bright Road adjacent to the sites northern boundary.
Six car parking spaces would be provided if the plan is given the go ahead. A decision will be made by Sandwell Council in the coming months.
