A COUNTY council has submitted plans to the Secretary of State for potential waste sites across the county including sites in Baldock and Hitchin.

The Waste Site Allocations document, prepared by Hertfordshire County Council, identifies specific sites and areas that are potentially suitable for waste treatment facilities.

In Baldock, land next to the Baldock Services and A1(M) junction 10 has been put forward.

The site, called The New Barn, could be used for anaerobic digestion, as a waste transfer station for recyclables, and for thermal treatment – a method used to burn waste.

Further sites in Hitchin, including land off Bury Mead Road and Cadwell Lane have also been earmarked.

Bury Mead Road could become a household rubbing recycling centre and a facility to recycle electrical items.

Similar uses are being proposed for Cadwell Lane.

Cllr Richard Thake, HCC Cabinet member for planning, said: “Hertfordshire has to deal with around three million tonnes of waste every year and we need a range of facilities across the county to manage this.

“We’ve tried to take residents’ views into account when making these plans and we’ve already held several public consultations, but the public examination will be a good opportunity for any concerns people have to be discussed in an open forum.”

The secretary of state will appoint a planning inspector to hold a public examination into the plans. If found to be sound it can be adopted as county council policy.