A NEW site suitable for household waste is being sought in Worcester.

Severn Waste Services has announced that it is looking for a new location following planning refusal for redevelopment at its site at Hallow Road.

The Evesham-based company had hoped to open the recycling site for longer hours as well as fit new compacting equipment.

But Worcestershire County Council - which has ultimate responsibility for the disposal of the county's waste - rejected the firm's appeal and supported a search for a new site.

"Up to now an alternative to Hallow Road has proven difficult, but we will now renew our efforts to find a suitable location," said Phil Sherratt, area director of Severn Waste Services, the public face of Mercia Waste Management.

"Our new split-level household waste sites are clean and tidy and very convenient for the public to use.

"Anyone who is concerned should take a look at one of our refurbished sites, such as those at Stourport-on-Severn or Leominster, to see how the old tip of yesterday has been replaced by a modern convenience.

"Our experience shows that recycling rates have increased at the new style sites, which can only be good news."

Severn Waste Services operates 16 household waste sites across Worcestershire and Herefordshire, as well as the Hill and Moor landfill site near Pershore. Currently only 11 per cent of Worcestershire's waste is recycled, but targets include raising that to 30 per cent by 2006.

The new site will help improve those figures providing extra recycling facilities for the people of Worcester.

The site at Hallow Road will remain open, but it will not be included in the company's refurbishment programme.