As part of the contract, a waste treatment facility at South Kirkby will be constructed, which will be completely energy-sufficient and offer facilities to recycle and treat waste in the Wakefield district.
The plant is expected to process approximately 200,000 tons of municipal solid waste annually, which will increase the local authority’s recycling rate to a minimum of 52%.
This contract will provide about 250 jobs during the construction phase and another 60 permanent positions later.
Wakefield Council CBE leader Peter Box said that the agreement will enable management and recylcing of waste in the district besides providing employment and boosting the local economy.
Walker Morris Commercial head David Kilduff said that the completion of this contract is a great achievement for all the parties involved.
"It is testament to the long standing relationship and the collaboration between all parties and the in house team that this ambitious plan was able to secure the funding in the current economic climate. Particularly as it is one of the first major projects to receive funding from the Green Investment Bank. The successful conclusion of this PFI is welcome news for the Council, the local economy, residents and the environment," added Kilduff.
Besides developing several technologies on the location, Shanks will also operate the district’s network of Household Waste Recycling Centers, transfer stations and bring sites. A Visitor’s Center at the South Kirkby site, which will be used for waste education and minimization purposes, will also be constructed.
