MORE than 80 new jobs could come to the Bridgwater area, according to the firm behind a proposed waste recycling centre which has been lodged with Sedgemoor District Council.

The ‘resource recovery facility’ in Showground Road, Bridgwater, would process 80,000 tonnes of rubbish each year and sort waste for recycling.

According the applicants, the project will create around 30 long-term skilled and semiskilled jobs at the site and more than 50 jobs during the two-year construction period, with further jobs created through the supply and support chain.

The facility will also convert any materials that are unable to be recycled into a gas to be used to generate electricity and provide heat that can be used by neighbouring businesses.

In a statement a spokesperson for the Bridgwater Resource Recovery Facility said: “The site has been identified after extensive searches and delivers a capacity gap that exists geographically between Avonmouth and Exeter.

“The Showground Road site is well located for vehicle access, and the industrial nature of the buildings is in keeping with the surrounding uses.”

North Petherton ward councillor Anne Fraser gave her support for the project, saying that it would be good news for the local economy.

She said: “I think the most important thing about these plans is the fact that it creates a significant number of jobs for local people in Bridgwater and North Petherton and that is very welcome.

“It’s not going to have much of an adverse effect on anyone because of its location and will provide sustainable energy too.”