**Plans for Major Aggregate Recycling Facility Approved at Former Quarry in Bridgend**
In a move set to bolster Bridgend’s recycling capacity, local councillors have given a unanimous green light for a new aggregate recycling plant to be established at the site of a former quarry. The facility, to be managed by Nolan Recycling, is slated for development at Stormy Down, Heol-y-Splot—adjacent to Nolan’s existing waste transfer station.
Following a detailed planning committee review in May 2025, Bridgend County Borough Council sanctioned the proposal, which lays out the construction of a facility designed to process up to 205,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste each year. This marks a significant increase from the current 45,000 tonnes handled at the site, indicating a substantial scaling up of local waste recycling operations.
Aggregate recycling plays a crucial role in the environmental management of construction materials. The process involves collecting and reprocessing materials such as concrete, brick, asphalt, soil, and stone from building sites and demolition projects. These materials, once considered waste, are transformed into reusable aggregates, supporting sustainable construction practices and diverting significant volumes from landfill.
Developers assert that the new facility will help drive up recycling rates throughout the Bridgend area, potentially setting a model for similar communities across Wales. As part of the development, Nolan Recycling expects to create ten full-time jobs, contributing to both environmental goals and local employment opportunities.
The construction phase, according to planning documents, is projected to last approximately 30 months. The development will begin with extensive groundwork, aiming to level the previously quarried terrain to form a suitable platform for the new recycling plant. The project is set to rehabilitate an otherwise dormant piece of land, integrating it back into productive use within the circular economy.
A report submitted to the council explained that the facility’s operations will centre on the reception and processing of inert, non-hazardous waste and soils from excavations, construction, and demolitions around Bridgend and neighbouring areas. In addition to processing up to 205,000 tonnes per annum, the site maintains existing permissions to handle 5,000 tonnes of wood waste and up to 40,000 tonnes of aggregate and inert construction and demolition waste.
Nevertheless, the proposal was not without its detractors. Some local residents and the Merthyr Mawr Community Council voiced apprehensions, particularly regarding increased traffic volumes at the busy A48 and Heol y Splott junction. Noise and dust emissions, and their potential impact on nearby homes, were also flagged as concerns in community feedback.
However, council officers addressed these issues by incorporating stricter conditions into the development’s approval. Revised operating hours and enhanced mitigation measures were added to the plans. Additionally, a traffic management clause was inserted, preventing vehicles leaving the facility from turning right onto the A48—a measure designed to alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety at the junction. Highways authorities, after their own assessment, raised no objections to the revised scheme.
Ultimately, the planning committee found the potential benefits—namely, improved recycling performance and job creation—outweighed the risks, provided the stipulated conditions are strictly observed. With all present members voting in favour, the plans now move forward to their next stages of implementation.
The development is poised to become a key contributor to Bridgend’s sustainability agenda, combining economic, social, and environmental gains. Observers and residents alike will be watching keenly as this ambitious project takes shape over the coming months, setting a new benchmark for recycling initiatives in Wales.