Work on the multi-million pound waste treatment facility at South Kirkby Business Park will begin very soon.

Following the signing of the multi-million pound waste management contract with leading international waste management business Shanks Group plc together with its partner Babcock Group plc work will begin on the waste treatment facility in February 2013.

The site will see the development of a new high-tech waste treatment plant and will provide a selection of facilities to recycle and treat waste in the Wakefield district. The scheme opens up further opportunities on the surrounding business park for investment into green technologies including research and development.

The new contract will create approximately 250 jobs in the construction phase and a further 60 permanent positions, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

In addition to building the various technologies on site, Shanks will also take over the operation of the district’s network of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), transfer stations and bring sites as well as building a Visitor’s Centre at the South Kirkby site, to be used for waste education and minimisation purposes.

Councillor Peter Box CBE, Leader of Wakefield Council says “We are very pleased that this agreement has been signed with Shanks Group plc to manage the district’s waste and recycling. It is excellent news for the District, bringing jobs and investment, as well as improving a service which is always high on the public’s agenda.

“It gives us the opportunity to safeguard jobs of current employees who work in this area and provide new jobs in one of the most deprived areas in the district with the building and opening of the new waste treatment plant in South Kirkby. We are looking forward to working with Shanks and to making a real difference to waste management in this district.”

Joanne Roney OBE, Chief Executive of Wakefield Council, says: “This is a big step forward in how a key public service is delivered in the district. The agreement means investment in household waste collection and recycling and more jobs for the district.

"It has been a long journey, and at times challenging, but throughout the negotiations we have never lost sight of the need for additional finance to deliver a waste management system for the future. I am very pleased that this 25 year contract has now been signed and we can move on to concentrate on the job of improving waste and recycling services for everyone in the district and protecting the environment. I too look forward to working with Shanks and to seeing the new waste management plans come to fruition.”