DEMOLISHED buildings can now be recycled rather than dumped in landfill sites after councillors approved plans for a recycling centre at Blackpole Trading Estate.

A crusher that can turn rubble into recyclable material is part of Blackpole Recycling at Unit 100 in the estate.

The company needs a Waste Management Licence from the Environment Agency, which requires planning permission from Worcestershire County Council.

The application also included an extension to an existing workshop to form an area for skip sorting and to change the use of part of the transport yard to storage, crushing and screening of recyclable material.

Chairman of the Planning and Regulatory Committee, Coun Derek Prodger said he welcomed the first recycling plant of this type in Worcester.

"This scheme provides the opportunity for many buildings in Worcester city to be demolished, crushed at this site and every piece can be recycled and avoid going to a landfill," said Coun Prodger at Tuesday's Worcestershire County Council meeting of the Planning and Regulatory Committee.

The Environment Agency originally objected to the plan because the development was on the flood plain of Barbourne Brook.

However, the objection was withdrawn after a flood risk assessment was carried out on the brook which floods once a century, provided Blackpole Recycling implement a site flood management scheme which is approved by council planners.

Blackpole Recycling now has three months to submit plans to the county council for the disposal of foul and surface waters and contamination of the site.

Other conditions including ensuring any facilities to store oils, fuels or chemicals must be impervious. No fires will be allowed.

The plan was given unanimous approval by councillors.