URL: https://democracy.westsuffolk.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=996

Decision Maker: Director - Operations, Leisure and Culture

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The Constitution authorises Officers to make decisions within the scope of their responsibilities, unless it is required to be made by a Portfolio Holder or Cabinet.   The Director (Operations, Leisure and Culture) has exercised their delegated authority to progress the project to extend the West Suffolk Operational Hub (HR2) through gateway #1 to the submission of a hybrid planning application (DC/26/0891/HYB).

Content: The Constitution authorises Officers to make decisions within the scope of their responsibilities, unless it is required to be made by a Portfolio Holder or Cabinet.   The Director (Operations, Leisure and Culture) has exercised their delegated authority to progress the project to extend the West Suffolk Operational Hub (HR2) through gateway #1 to the submission of a hybrid planning application (DC/26/0891/HYB). The Director (Operations, Leisure and Culture) has made a decision, in consultation with the Portfolio for Operations and with the Chief Operating Officer, to progress the West Suffolk Operational Hub Extension (HR2) project through Gateway #1 and submit a hybrid planning application for the site to the Local Planning Authority. Background The West Suffolk Operational Hub (WSOH) opened in 2019 and was the outcome of a partnership project between West Suffolk Council (WSC) and Suffolk County Council (SCC) to combine District and County Council waste operations assets on a single site. The objective of the project was to provide both operational & commercial benefits to both partners and overall, the project has proved to be a significant success.   However, significant changes to waste collection services brought about by the Government’s Environment Act 2021 (Simpler/Better Recycling) means that West Suffolk Council now need to deliver new and expanded services.   Following a Council decision (Exempt Report number CAB/WS/25/048 Cabinet - Tuesday 7 October 2025), WSC purchased land to the East of the existing WSOH to facilitate a phased expansion of waste and other council operational services thereby futureproofing West Suffolk Council’s ability to meet the operational needs of the district.   Phase 1 (detailed) comprises the relocation of staff car parking and the creation of a storage yard for bins, skips and other ancillary equipment.   Phase 2 (outline) is to safeguard the remaining substantive part of the site for future operational needs.   West Suffolk Council are, therefore, seeking hybrid planning approval which grants detailed and outline consent for both phases to ensure the Council has the ability to expand further in the future, if and when needed.   Current Status The project to date has entailed numerous site investigations, surveys, pre-application consultation with statutory bodies (LPA, Flood and Highways) and design development to enable a planning application to be made.   Whilst Value Engineering has taken place to reduce anticipated costs, the current estimated cost is £193,794 over the current approved budget of £3,196,370.   The attached gateway report sets-out the current position for the project. The key items which have applied upward cost pressure on the scheme are: ·         Drainage strategy (larger attenuation basin than envisaged) ·         Extent of cut/fill beyond early assumptions ·         Make-up to roads and hardstanding are more onerous than early assumptions.   However, there are further opportunities to make savings: ·         Utility costs ·         Further ground testing to see if the build-up of roads and hard standings can be less onerous. It should be noted that greater cost fixity will not be achieved until the planning process has concluded and the construction works are tendered. An alternative option could be to halt the project and seek a more fundamental redesign to bring the estimated project cost below budget. However, the costs of doing this in terms of fees and delays are likely to result in greater costs overall compared to progressing to a planning application now.   The current estimated project cost is only 6% above budget.

Date of Decision: June 19, 2026