SHARPNESS could become home to a county waste facility, which would handle more than 50,000 tonnes of rubbish a year.

The proposal has been made as part of the county council's mineral and waste core strategy, which is looking at ways the county can reduce its landfill and further its recycling targets.

Gloucestershire County Council this week launched a six week consultation into its proposals.

As well as looking at the county's waste, the strategy will also look at how Gloucestershire should manage its mineral resources.

Cllr Julie Girling, Gloucestershire County Council's lead cabinet member for environment, said: "At the moment most of the county's waste is sent to landfill when much of it could be re-used or recycled.

"The latest figures show we are gradually reducing the amount of rubbish we bury, but we cannot afford to be complacent and know we can do even better.

"That is why this waste strategy is so important to our environment and why we are very keen for Gloucestershire residents to have their say.

"We are preparing planning documents that will guide future decisions on how all kinds of waste are managed and how we will decide where waste facilities may be located."

The strategy has identified Sharpness along with 30 other sites in the county as potential locations for local or strategic waste facilities.

Sharpness has been identified as a strategic site, which means it would handle more than 50,000 tonnes of rubbish.

Sharpness docks is already the site for several waste recycling companies and last year planning permission was given for a composting plant there, which is due to start operations later this year.

The county council's Waste Local Plan, which is being used as part of the consultation, promotes Sharpness docks as having a range of transport links including a connection to the Gloucester to Sharpness canal and suggests the re-opening of an old rail link.

The plan also says a waste facility could help with unemployment and a need for investment and regeneration in Sharpness.

Cllr Basil Booth, Conservative county councillor for Berkeley, said: "Sharpness docks was identified in the Waste Local Plan several years ago. Obviously it's a site that may be used but there are no firm proposals at the moment.

"Permission has already been given for a composting site and I suspect locals will say that is enough."

To view the consultation and have your say visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste.