EXTENDED opening hours and improvements to facilities at the council tip in Ellesmere Port have been given the go ahead.

Cheshire West and Chester’s planning committee rubber-stamped an application by the council for a number of improvements to the site off Dock Yard Road.

They include extending the opening hours from the current 6am-8pm, to 6am-10pm, Monday-Friday. There will also be a series of improvements and changes to existing buildings which are designed to help support the council’s 10 year waste management strategy.

They include:

Installation of cladding and roller shutter door to the exiting building.

An extension to the materials bulking area to include additional reception bays with new roof cladding. It would also treble in size from 726 sq m to 2,169 sq m.

A new bale storage area which includes the construction of three covered storage bays.

A report to the committee, said: “The proposal would facilitate an upgrade to the current recycling operations at the application site and the canalside operations hub, which would support the council’s new 10 year waste management strategy.”

It added: “Subject to conditions, the proposal would not have a detrimental environmental impact or impact upon residential amenity. This includes impact in respect of internally designated sites and protected species.”

Speaking at the planning meeting, committee member Cllr Jill Houlbrook, said: “It seems to me that actually the work we want to carry out on this site would make it a great deal more acceptable visually as well as reduce things like smells and noise as well, given that and that there doesn’t seem to be any objections, I’m happy to move approval.”

Cllr Gina Lewis asked if the bails would be secured due to fire risk. Officers said the site was covered by existing fire regulations.

The plans were unanimously approved.