Plans for a multi-million pound development at a waste collection centre are taking the next step.

Hertfordshire County Council wants to expand its Waterdale waste transfer station on the A405 near Bricket Wood by buying a plot of land next to the current site.

The council says expansion will speed up operations at Waterdale and reduce the amount of time bin lorry drivers are waiting to get into the site from the dual carriageway.

In the summer, the council was given the go-ahead to progress with its plans, which are set to cost a reported £4.55 million plus a further £1.3 million for a shredding facility.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Waterdale waste centre Waterdale waste centre

Ahead of submitting a planning application to St Albans District Council, the county council is hosting an exhibition of its proposal at the end of November.

It will take place on Tuesday November 30 from 4pm until 8pm at the Woodside Community Centre (Brow Club) in Garston (WD25 7ET).

Cllr Eric Buckmaster, who is cabinet member for the environment, said: "I’d encourage local residents, and anyone with an interest in how the waste we all create is managed, to either come to the exhibition or take part in the consultation online so we can make sure that everyone’s views are heard as we develop our plans for this important facility.

"By constructing a new building at the Waterdale Transfer Station, we can manage waste and recycling more effectively, reduce carbon emissions, reduce congestion and provide a more efficient service to residents."

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Marked in red is the Waterdale site. Mullany's Coaches, which is marked, is Brookdell Yard. Credit: Google Maps Marked in red is the Waterdale site. Mullany's Coaches, which is marked, is Brookdell Yard. Credit: Google Maps

The council wants to create the new building in Brookdell Yard, which is currently a coach depot next to Waterdale, which received 157,894 tonnes of local authority collected waste in 2019/20.

An undisclosed offer for Brookdell Yard from the council was accepted by the vendor in April.

According to the council, the expanded transfer station will have tight noise and odour regulations in place and will store larger, bulkier household items, such as mattresses or furniture that cannot be reused or recycled, for shredding on site so the material does not have to be sent to landfill.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Lorry driver can often be left waiting to get into the Waterdale site. Sometimes the queue backs onto the dual carriagewayLorry driver can often be left waiting to get into the Waterdale site. Sometimes the queue backs onto the dual carriageway (Image: Newsquest)

Improvements are also planned for the existing transfer station building which, depending on funding being approved, will also be subject to a public consultation and planning application in 2022.

Anyone unable to attend the exhibition, or who would prefer to view the plans online, can visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/consultations from November 25 until December 16.