The firm planning to re-open a huge landfill site near Ainley Top have pledged it will not damage the environment.
Work to complete the restoration of the former landfill site at Hollins Hey can now proceed following the award of planning permission to site owners, SITA UK, by Kirklees Council.
SITA UK has been responsible for the landfill facility at Hollins Hey since 1998.
The last delivery of waste to the former landfill site took place in 2005, but soils in the quantities needed for restoring the site have been difficult to source during the economic downturn.
Planning permission has now been granted by Kirklees Council to revise the timescales by which the site must be restored.
A SITA spokesman said: “Landfill restoration is a programme of works that are scheduled once a landfill site has reached the end of its operational life and is no longer used to dispose of waste.
“Work at Hollins Hey will involve the placement of over two metres of soil. This will serve to seal in the waste previously disposed of at the site and provide a suitable cover material for planting, trees, shrubs and grasses.
“These restoration works are essential to return the land to agricultural use, improve surface water drainage and ensure the former landfill site blends in with the surrounding landscape.
“Restoration will involve the importation of soils to the site and landscaping works. No other material will be tipped at the landfill and the waste that is already present will not be disturbed.”
Experts have been working at the site to check on wildlife, birdlife and plants.
In addition the company has commissioned noise and traffic surveys, passing details on to the planning committee.
The spokesman added: “These assessments indicate that there will be no significant impacts on the local environment for the duration of the works, but that there will be a long term benefit once the restoration is complete”.
The lorries using the landfill site will use the M62 and leave at Junction 24 at Ainley Top to limit traffic on other roads.
