A £2 million recycling centre is set to open in west Suffolk this summer.

The new Homefield Road site in Haverhill will replace the existing recycling centre at Chalkstone Way.

The new recycling centre will be three times the size of the existing site. 

It also has been built to include a raised platform for users to dispose of their waste and one way-system.

There will also be no need to close the facility to replace full containers.

The site was expected to open at the start of this year but the work has taken longer than expected. 

READ MORE: Stradishall near Haverhill road to have 42-mile diversion

Suffolk County Council initially announced the plans for the centre last year and work began in May 2023.

Planning permission was granted in November 2021 after an environmental permit was given by the Environment Agency.

Bury Mercury: A visual of what the new recycling centre will look like once complete.A visual of what the new recycling centre will look like once complete. (Image: Suffolk County Council)

Cabinet Member for Suffolk County Council Transport Strategy, Councillor Richard Smith MVO said, “Excellent progress has been made on the replacement recycling centre at Homefield Road, and we are confident that it will be ready to open to the public in the summer."

READ MORE: Ben Albon from Haverhill wins Volkswagen Golf and cash prize

Bury Mercury: There will be a raised platform giving visitors an elevated position from which to safely dispose of waste There will be a raised platform giving visitors an elevated position from which to safely dispose of waste (Image: Suffolk County Council)

“The new facility is much larger, safer and more accessible, and will be fit to serve Haverhill and the surrounding area for years to come.”

Simon Hale, FCC environment area manager, said: “It is great to see positive progress being made to this new site which will provide benefits to the local community helping residents to recycle ever more of our resources. We are looking forward to the site opening in due course.”

READ MORE: The Hive Café at The Epicentre in Haverhill is moving

The works are being completed by FCC Environment and its contractor, DXI Regeneration Ltd, on behalf of Suffolk County Council.

FCC Environment, which runs all of Suffolk’s 11 recycling centres, will also operate the centre once it is complete.