FAQs
- Improved operational efficiency through the strategic location of vehicles and equipment, helping services respond more effectively across the district, and specifically in the northern towns and villages.
- Reduced vehicle mileage and associated carbon emissions, as operational vehicles may need to travel shorter distances between their base and service areas.
- Supporting value for money for residents, by helping reduce operating costs associated with vehicle travel and service delivery, enabling council resources to be used as efficiently as possible while maintaining frontline services.
- Enhanced resilience of frontline services, ensuring the council is better equipped to maintain service delivery during periods of high demand, severe weather or unforeseen operational challenges.
- Better facilities for staff and vehicles, supporting employee wellbeing, health and safety, and the effective maintenance and storage of operational equipment.
- Improved reliability of services, helping waste collection, grounds maintenance and other environmental services to operate more efficiently for residents.
- Support for future service requirements, including changes to waste and recycling collections and other statutory services.
- A better experience for residents, through more efficient deployment of resources, helping the council maintain clean streets, well-maintained public spaces and reliable collection services.
- Long-term value for money, by providing infrastructure designed to support service delivery needs both now and in the future.
What is the proposed Operational Vehicle Store?
The proposed Operational Vehicle Store would provide an operational base in the North of the District to support Council waste services, including the storage and deployment of vehicles, equipment and staff required to deliver local services across the district more efficiently.
Why is an Operational Vehicle Store needed?
The introduction of the statutory weekly food waste collection service across the District has increased the number of vehicles and equipment needed to deliver waste and recycling services. As a result, the council requires a permanent operational space to accommodate the food waste collection fleet and support day-to-day operations.
The vehicles are currently operating from temporary facilities, which are not intended as a long-term solution. The proposed Operational Vehicle Store will provide a permanent base, reduce pressure on existing facilities, and help ensure the efficient and reliable delivery of the council's statutory waste and recycling collection services.
What services would be supported by the Operational Vehicle Store?
The planned store will support fleet accommodation, vehicle parking, circulation, staff welfare and operational support for the Council’s waste and recycling collection service.
Is the facility a waste processing facility or landfill site?
No. The proposed depot would be an operational base used to store vehicles, equipment and materials required to deliver council services. It would not operate as a landfill, incinerator or large scale waste treatment facility.
Why has this location been identified?
The location has been identified because it is considered capable of meeting operational requirements while helping the council deliver services effectively. The site offers a number of advantages, including its proximity to the adjacent Waste Transfer Station and Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), meaning the proposed use is in keeping with the surrounding area. It would also reduce travel distances for operational crews, lower associated carbon emissions, improve efficiency, and support faster responses to reactive services, such as missed collections.
In addition, the site is already owned by the council, helping to deliver value for money, and is situated away from built-up residential areas, which helps minimise potential impacts from vehicle movements.
The site is allocated for development in the Mid Sussex District Council Local Development Plan, and the proposal is consistent with that allocation. There are no further plans to develop the surrounding area beyond the proposed depot.
Factors considered in selecting the site included accessibility, available space, proximity to service areas, operational requirements, planning considerations, and overall value for money.
What is the expected timeline for the proposed Operational Vehicle Store?
The project is currently at the pre planning stage. Following this consultation, the council will review all feedback received and consider whether any changes are required to the proposal. Subject to approvals and any necessary planning permissions, a programme for design, construction and operation would then be developed and communicated. We plan to have the new facility operational in 2027.
What benefits could the Operational Vehicle Store bring to the district?
The proposed Operational Vehicle Store could deliver a range of benefits for residents, businesses and council services, including:
What are the environmental benefits?
A new depot will improve operational efficiency and reduce unnecessary vehicle movements, helping reduce emissions. It will also provide better facilities for staff and support future service improvements, including evolving waste and recycling collection requirements.
Will the proposal increase traffic in the area?
Traffic impacts will be assessed as part of the planning and design process. The council will consider vehicle movements, routing, peak travel periods, and mitigation measures to minimise impacts on surrounding roads.
What measures will be taken to reduce noise?
The design of the depot would seek to minimise noise impacts through measures such as restricted operating practices where appropriate, careful site layout, acoustic screening, maintenance of vehicles and compliance with environmental regulations.
What impact will the proposal have on nearby businesses?
The intention is for the depot to support the efficient delivery of council services while minimising disruption to neighbouring businesses. The council welcomes feedback from local businesses so that any concerns can be properly considered.
Will there be vehicle movements throughout the day?
Vehicle movements are expected to be concentrated around the start and end of operational shifts, when vehicles leave the site to deliver services and return at the end of the working day. Operational shifts would typically run from 6:00am to 3:30pm, with most vehicle departures taking place during the early morning and vehicles returning later in the afternoon. As a result, the site is expected to be relatively quiet for much of the day while crews are out delivering services across the district. The council is working with its current waste contractor at this stage to ensure vehicle movements and site operations are managed appropriately and any potential disruption to the local area is minimised.
Will public access to surrounding roads or footpaths be affected?
There are currently no proposals to restrict public access to local roads or footpaths. If any temporary restrictions are required during construction, these would be communicated in advance and managed appropriately.
Will the depot be visually intrusive?
The design process will consider the appearance of the site and its surroundings. Landscaping, boundary treatments and building design will be incorporated to ensure the facility integrates with its surroundings as effectively as possible.
Will there be lighting on site?
Lighting requirements will be carefully assessed to balance operational safety and security needs with the amenity of neighbouring properties. Any lighting would be designed to minimise unnecessary light spill.
Will the project create employment opportunities?
The construction phase may support jobs within the local supply chain, while the operational depot would support the continued delivery of council services and associated employment within the district.
Could the depot support future improvements to council services?
Yes. Additional operational capacity can help the council respond to changing service requirements, legislative changes and future growth, improving resilience and service delivery across the district.
How can residents and businesses provide feedback?
Feedback can be submitted through by scanning the QR code on the consultation letter you have received, or alternatively by postal letter to:Head of Estates, Mid Sussex District Council, Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1SS. All comments received within the consultation period will be reviewed and considered.
How will residents' concerns be taken into account?
Feedback can be submitted by scanning the QR code included in the consultation letter, or alternatively by writing to: Head of Estates, Mid Sussex District Council, Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1SS. All comments received during this consultation period will be reviewed and considered as part of the development of the proposal. Following the submission of the planning application, residents and businesses will also have a further opportunity to view the proposals and submit comments through the formal planning process before any decision is made.
The consultation welcomes all views, whether supportive, neutral or opposed. Residents and businesses are encouraged to explain what they support and why, so that these views can also be considered as part of the decision-making process.