WORK is under way on a state-of-the-art indoor �recycling centre in Witchford.

The county council has confirmed that builders have moved on to the site just off the A142 and work will begin immediately, ending months of speculation about the future of the project amid council budget cutbacks.

Councillor Bill Hunt, county councillor for Witchford and chairman of the liaison group said: “In the early stages of this project, the local community were understandably concerned about the impact of a recycling centre at the edge of the village.

“But I’m confident that, through the continued efforts of local businesses, residents and council officers, everything is being done to make sure we get a recycling centre we can be proud of.

“It is essential we continue to make sure that the wishes of local businesses and residents are taken into consideration.”

The centre, due to open in October, is to replace the Grunty Fen site and, once complete, will house a range of energy-saving innovations including rainwater capture, sunlight tubes and a ‘living wall’ which will be made, in part, using vegetation.

The centre will be capable of processing 15,000 tonnes of waste per year – almost double the capacity at Grunty Fen.

The council said construction contractor Willmott Dixon had begun the ground works using local labour.

The news comes just months after Liberal Democrat councillors claimed the building work was on hold because the council could no longer afford it.

The claims were rebuffed by Conservative councillors, however, who said the project was progressing as planned.

Councillor Tony Orgee, cabinet member for economy and the environment at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “This new facility will be a real benefit to local communities in East Cambridgeshire.

Cambridgeshire residents are among the top recyclers in the country but we know we can do even better and one thing residents have told us is that they want recycling centres that are more modern and easier to use.”

For more information on the centre, including how the project is progressing, go to www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/recycling and follow the links.