Plans for a new recycling plant at a borough quarry have been earmarked for approval.
Valencia Waste Management have submitted proposals to construct a material recycling facility at Pilsworth Quarry alongside the existing landfill site.
The proposed development, which will be discussed by the council's planning committee next week, would extract recyclables and inert materials from being deposited on landfill.
The original landfill site was built in 2006 with additional features added since it opened. It was given approval for expansion in 2012.
In April 2021, the landfill site was subject to a huge blaze prompting Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to declare a major incident.
In October that year, part of the site caught on fire again and fire crews from Whitefield and Salford were called.
In its planning application, Valencia said the function of the new recycling plant would be to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.
It said: “The premise of the facilities is to intercept the commercial and industrial waste that is heading for landfill and extracting recyclable materials which would then be removed from site for recycling/re-use/recovery by third parties elsewhere.
“Any domestic/putrescible waste by would by-pass the facility to landfill as per current arrangements.”
The application has prompted five objections from residents who have labelled the current site “an eyesore”.
One said: “The Viridor site has exceeded its proposed life expectancy and is a blight on Bury.
“The smell is often horrendous and cannot be good for residents health or the environment.
"Extra development will add to traffic congestion which already leads to long queues of traffic.”
Another added: “With extensive development over the past 30 years, the existing layout of Croft Lane and Pilsworth cannot cope with demand at peak times-leading to lengthy slow-moving, and standstill traffic.”
The council’s planning committee has been advised to approve the application with conditions.
The committee will also discuss proposed extensions to Millwood Special School in Radcliffe, which has applied for the addition of an extension to include classrooms, a multi-purpose hall and support areas.
The school also has plans for landscaping works including play areas, railings and an external pagoda.
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