A NUMBER of sites around Dorchester are being consider for an additional waste recycling facility.

A consultation exercise is underway to consider the locations of future waste management and recycling facilities and local residents are being urged to have their say before the deadline later this month.

Dorset County Council is encouraging people to give their opinions and highlight any local issues before the final plans for the future of waste management are published.

The plan considers what kind of waste is being produced in Dorset, how it is currently being managed and how this might change.

It also seeks to identify sites to meet the need for new waste management facilities in the future.

The proposals include a new or improved household recycling centre, a new waste transfer station and waste vehicle depot.

Sites being considered around Dorchester a new or improved waste recycling facility include the existing household recycling site at Loudsmill, Charminster Farm depot, land north west of Stinford Hill and the old radio station site on Bridport Road.

The council is also consulting on a new green waste composting facility at Piddlehinton and an extension to the sewage treatment works at Maiden Newton, north of Dorchester.

The proposals also include a new modern waste management centre near to Sunrise Business Park at Blandford, which would replace the current facility at Holland Way.

There is also the need to improve the Shaftesbury household recycling centre and a site at Brickfield Business Park, Gillingham has been shortlisted to replace the existing facility.

The authority is also consulting an extension to the sewage treatment works at Gillingham.

Cllr Peter Finney, Dorset County Council’s Cabinet member for the environment, infrastructure and highways, said: “We strongly encourage people to give us their views on the proposals. This will help us to decide on the most suitable sites to take forward to protect the environment and also building a sustainable economy for the future.”

To have your say on the draft Waste Plan, submit your comments online dorsetforyou.com/waste-plan or complete a paper response form which can be requested from the minerals and waste planning policy team on 01305 228585 or by emailing mwdf@dorsetcc.gov.uk.

Visit dorsetforyou.gov.uk/minerals-and-waste for more information.

The deadline for comments is July 21.