Last updated 10:50, Friday, 05 September 2008

I am writing in response to the letter from Lt Col (retd) HJ Smith (The Cumberland News, August 15) about our proposal for a new waste treatment facility at Hespin Wood near Rockcliffe

This proposed facility is part of a major investment in waste management within Cumbria we are hoping to introduce which will revolutionise waste treatment in the county.

It will significantly reduce the amount of waste going into landfill both at Hespin Wood and at other sites around the county and reduce the county’s waste disposal costs.

At Hespin Wood we are proposing to build a resource park, where the waste will be treated within carefully controlled conditions and recyclable materials, that would have been lost to landfill, are extracted.

I can assure Lt Col Smith that this new facility would not have the kind of impact that he is concerned about.

If Lt Col Smith, or anyone else living in the surrounding area, would like to visit our facility in Dumfries, we would be happy to arrange that.

PETER SHARPE
Operations director
Shanks Waste Management