Rossendale Borough Council has confirmed approval, by both the Planning Committee and Full Council, for the development of a new Waste Transfer Station (WTS) at Futures Park.
The Council said that it recognises that the proposal has prompted strong views locally, and respects the concerns raised by residents. However, following a thorough assessment of all options, this project has been determined as the most financial sustainable, environmentally responsible and operationally viable solution for Rossendale’s long-term waste management needs.
The current waste transfer arrangements will not be fit for purpose from April 2026. This change has been driven by Lancashire County Council’s decision to no longer allow district councils to tip waste at Whinney Hill, instead moving away from landfill towards processing and managing waste more sustainably.
With this deadline approaching, the Council has undertaken extensive work to identify a deliverable solution within the required timescales. Under the new county-wide arrangements, Rossendale’s only available option for disposing of residual waste is the Farrington facility in Leyland.
The approved proposal ensures continuity of service while protecting the Council’s ability to manage resources responsibly and safeguard other vital services. The new Waste Transfer Station will allow waste to be bulked up locally before being transported on to Farrington, mirroring existing arrangements for some recyclable materials.
Council Leader Alyson Barnes said: “This has been a difficult and sometimes sensitive issue, and we fully understand why residents wanted clarity and reassurance. After a detailed and transparent assessment, it is clear that this is the right solution for Rossendale. It protects essential services, provides long-term value for money, and ensures we can continue delivering reliable waste collections for local people. This decision gives us certainty for the future and allows us to move forward with confidence.
“We’re committed to making decisions that protect frontline services, ensure financial stability and deliver reliable outcomes for residents and the approval of this Waste Transfer Station marks an important step in securing a resilient and future-proof waste service for Rossendale.”
A recent letter to the council from a County Councillor suggested that a Rossendale WTS could sit “outside approved LCC infrastructure”. Lancashire County Council officers have since confirmed that no such approved infrastructure exists and that no other boroughs, including those pursuing similar facilities such as Burnley, have received such communication. Operational instructions can change at any time regardless of facility location, and this does not prevent Rossendale from progressing with essential infrastructure.
Local government reorganisation (LGR) is expected to reshape how waste services are overseen, but any new council structure will still be responsible for collecting domestic waste. Due to the geography of the Rossendale Valley, all collected waste, under any future model, will continue to be transferred out of the area. Without a local transfer station, all collection vehicles would be required to travel directly to Farrington, significantly increasing journey times, vehicle requirements and costs.
This proposal remains the most cost-effective and environmentally efficient option irrespective of future governance arrangements. Sending all bin lorries directly to Farrington would require a substantial increase in fleet size due to the distance involved, at an estimated additional cost of around £2 million per year.
The creation of a modern WTS will also help secure frontline jobs under LGR, with collection staff likely to be based at the new facility, strengthening service resilience. The Council has also confirmed that the existing Henrietta Street site cannot accommodate the sorting and bulking required under the new waste management arrangements.