North Lanarkshire Council has submitted a planning application for the site, which would create a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and waste transfer centre.

Recyclable and bulky waste from the council’s household waste recycling centre and special uplift service would be brought to the site for sorting, ready for collection by commercial processors.

The site would be built and operated by a private company, following a competitive tender exercise, with the council receiving an income from the lease.

“Creating a central point for the collection of our recyclable and bulky waste will allow more companies to bid for the contract to process this waste, helping reduce the cost to the council,” said Andrew McPherson, head of regulatory services and waste solutions.

Alongside these plans, the council is investigating the potential for a solar farm at Dalmacoulter and at the other former landfill site at Auchinlea, Cleland. This would see green electricity generated from solar panels, providing a long-term income to the council.

These proposals were approved by the council’s environment and transportation committee last week.