IVYBRIDGE is to see a £3.7 million investment in a new recycling centre set to open at the end of next year.

The new centre will be located just to the south east of the current one, on the other side of the slip road off the A38 Westover junction.

The estimated scheme budget of £3,703,000 includes a £750,000 section 106 contribution from the developers of the new town of Sherford.

Approving the scheme and budget after it gained planning permission in November last year, members of Devon County Council’s cabinet have also approved plans to carry out advanced drainage works at the nearby football club, to avoid disruption during the season.

Once up and running, the new centre will support five full-time equivalent jobs.

Councillors were told that the existing centre is not big enough for the growing local population, including the nearby Sherford development. Its size also causes queuing on adjoining roads, and it was argued that the small scale of the site means Ivybridge has a lower recycling rate than the rest of Devon – 72 compared to 81 per cent.

The new facility will include a resale area where reusable items will be offered to members of the public.

The planning application was decided by Devon County Council, although two exhibitions were held at The Watermark last July to tell people about the plans.

Ivybridge deputy mayor Cllr Anthony Khong noted that the town council had supported the plans. He said: ‘Even though the cost of the new centre is high, I think the benefit will outweigh the money spent. This is what we’ve been waiting for – to give Ivybridge people the facilities to recycle more.

‘The plans for the layout look very good – the current one is very congested.’

Town mayor Cllr David Gray-Taylor agreed: ‘The plans look well thought through, with better access for the public and lorries. It seems to be good news and I don’t think there are any problems.

‘It will be interesting to see who’s able to use it. I know in Plymouth you have to prove you live there to use the recycling centre, so we’ll see who this is open to.’