Alison StephensonLocal Democracy Reporting Service
Alison StephensonA new £5m operational service centre has opened in north Devon, replacing outdated depots.
Torridge District Council said the new facility in Bideford would act as the main hub for employees working in waste and recycling and street cleansing.
The council said no grants or external funding had paid for the Operational Services Centre on Alverdiscott Road (Oscar) and the money had come its own reserves.
The authority also said it had been in the planning for 10 years and it had been described as the “best of its kind” in Devon.
Alison StephensonThe council said the new building would be “cost neutral” and partly powered by solar panels.
It also said rainwater tanks would see recycled water used to clean its fleet of 27 waste and recycling vehicles.
An attenuation pond nearby would reduce flooding and also act as a wildlife resource for local schools, it added.
Councillor Chris Leather said Oscar would make “savings for the council over time”.
Leather said: “It’s incredibly important we run a cost-effective service.
“Waste and recycling is probably the most public-facing service we have that matters to the public.”
‘Excited’ crews
Waste and recycling supervisor Stuart Allen said crews were “enthusiastic and excited” about the move.
“It helps staff morale when you have very nice base to work from,” he said.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the new centre replaced a facility at Westcombe in Bideford, another at Piper’s Yard in Holsworthy and one in Torrington.
It added that it would also replace a temporary depot at Middledock, Appledore, which was being transformed into a marine innovation centre, a research and development space for next generation sustainable maritime initiatives.
The council added the facility was not a waste transfer station, and there would not be black bag domestic waste or processing of recycled domestic material on site.
It said the new location enabled improved operational efficiencies in the collection of household material and create capacity for the future growth of the district.
