Emma KnightsAbout one vehicle a minute is expected to enter the proposed new Dereham recycling centre at peak times. But a new report says officials think traffic movements would have little impact on local roads.Emma Knights

About one vehicle a minute is expected to enter the proposed new Dereham recycling centre at peak times. But a new report says officials think traffic movements would have little impact on local roads.

The issue is among many mentioned in the lengthy planning application for the project, which has been submitted by Norfolk County Council.

Brownfield land close to Roys and at the north end of Trafalgar Business Park, off Rash's Green, has been earmarked for the �1m centre.

The application, comprising seven documents, five of which are each two inches thick, says it could deal with 6,000 tonnes of waste a year.

It is predicted that up to 500 vehicles would use the recycling centre each day, with 72 entering the site during the busiest hour on a Sunday, 63 during the busiest hour on a Saturday and 21 during the busiest hours on weekdays. A one-way system would be put in place, with vehicles entering from Yaxham Road and leaving via Rash's Green. Part of the application states: 'The development is predicted to have little impact on the local road network.'

Five full-time jobs and two part-time jobs would be created, and the recycling centre would be open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. From October to March its opening hours would be 8am-4pm, and from April to September it would be open from 8am-6pm.

The site, which would become Norfolk's eighth main recycling centre, would handle items including electrical equipment, car batteries, paper and card, metal, garden waste and textiles.

Dereham has needed a new recycling centre since the household waste site at Beetley shut in 2004. The county council hopes to be able to open the new one by the end of the year.

A summary of the application is being posted at www.norfolk.gov.uk. You can also see it at County Hall, Norwich, and Breckland Council's Dereham HQ. To comment on the application write to the county council or email mawp@norfolk.gov.uk by April 16.