Parts of Sussex could become landfill-free zones by 2031. But this could see some undeveloped patches of countryside turned into industrial sites to burn, compost and re-use waste. TIM RIDGWAY reports on the areas set aside to deal with our rubbish.

For years it has sat empty and undeveloped, giving people a green space to enjoy.

But the nine-hectare former landfill site in Decoy Farm, Worthing, could be turned into an industrial site to take in rubbish and recycling from across West Sussex.

It is the largest site in a list of seven which West Sussex County Council believes will help solve its waste problems.

The local authority believes by 2031 there will be an extra 500,000 tonnes a year of commercial and industrial and construction and demolition waste generated in the county.

Sitting near to East Worthing railway station and within yards of homes and a business park on an already busy road, locals claim any development of the land will add to congestion.

They have called for wider consideration about the impact any potential site, which could include incinerators, could have on the area.

Possible waste sites

Seven sites have been identified in the latest plan

North of the wastewater treatment works at Ford

The six-hectare site could take 100,000 tonnes per year.

Previously used by Tarmac to manufacture building products, the site is currently unused.

The council said it could work with Grundon Waste Management in extending the wastewater site as well as building a new site which could be an incinerator.

Hobbs Barn, near Climping

The three-hectare site south of the A259 between Bognor and Ford could take between 20,000 and 50,000 tonnes.

It was a pig farm but now has planning permission for industrial use.

The council said it could become a large composting site or a recycling plant.

Fuel depot at Bognor Road, Chichester

The capacity of the five-hectare plot is not known although it could be used for waste and recycling, such as incineration.

The site, which is owned by the Oil Pipeline Agency and is being sold by the Ministry of Defence, was identified as a potential park and ride site.

However, there are concerns that the land may be contaminated as well as uncertainty over who will own the land.

Brookhurst Wood, Warnham, near Horsham

Biffa Waste Services could create a waste facility on the site by 2018 to deal with 150,000 tonnes of waste a year.

This could be an incinerator, a large composting scheme or another form of conversion.

However, there are issues as it is home to great crested newts, which are a protected species, as well as posing a potential risk to birds.

An extension to existing Brookhurst Wood landfill, near Horsham

Biffa Waste Services said a 1 million m3 extension to the existing site could come forward by 2016.

This would be for materials that will not decompose such as sand, drywall and concrete.

There are the same nature issues as above.

Land west of the wastewater treatment works at Goddards Green, outside Burgess Hill

The site is north of the roundabout at the junction of the A2300 and Cuckfield Road between the A23 and Burgess Hill.

The capacity of the five-hectare site is not known.

Bosses believe it could be right for wastewater treatment, recycling centre or waste facility, such as an incinerator.

However, the land is completely undeveloped and, while outside the national park, it is near conservation sites and areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Decoy Farm, Worthing

The nine-hectare greenfield site near East Worthing station and north of Dominion Way is owned by Worthing Borough Council.

It has been used for landfill previously.

The capacity is not known although it could be used for incineration or other means of recycling.

There are concerns from the owners about access and transport issues.


This list had been cut down from an initial list of ten sites Those no longer being considered are: land near the Hickstead roundabout on the A23; Nowhurst Business Centre in Strood Green, near Horsham; and the vinery near Poling, which is north of Littlehampton.

“I suspect it will mean higher traffic for the area and we need to see how we can get around that.

“There have already been complaints about the traffic in the area. There is also a lot of misinformation about incinerators so I will be seeking more details on this before I come to a decision.”

The local authority claims the list was drawn up to ensure there is “no unacceptable harm to the environment, economy or local communities”.

Key to selecting the new areas was its transport links and ability to create more modern ways of dealing with waste.

The local authority believes alternative forms, such as incineration or large-scale composting, means it can become landfill-free by 2031.

Lionel Barnard, the county council’s deputy leader who is responsible for waste matters, said: “Before we finalise this plan we want to find out what communities, businesses and other stakeholders think about the plan and whether it offers the best solution for waste management in the future.

“In particular we want to know whether people agree that the draft plan is realistic and will meet the vision and objectives that we have set out.”

Tim Slaney, director of planning for the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “We’ve worked closely with West Sussex County Council to get the right tools in place to protect the landscape, environment and communities of the National Park.

“This plan will help to guide major waste developments away from protected landscapes and is rightfully ambitious in its drive to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2031.”

A spokesman for the council said the plan had been drawn up following several consultations with those who have an interest, which included district and borough councils.

He added: “We will use responses we receive to help prepare the proposed submission draft before it is submitted to Government and is independently examined.”

The consultation will begin on May 30 and run until July 27.

For more details visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/mwdf.

To comment email mwdf@westsussex.gov.uk or write to Strategic Planning, West Sussex County Council, County Hall, Chichester PO19 1RH.