Work on the project began in October 2022 and was originally anticipated for completion in early 2024. The site remained open throughout the build, but service was reduced for business and trade customers and there were temporary restrictions on some waste types while space was limited.
The new site, designed by Concertus Design and Property Consultants and built by R G Carter, increases capacity for vehicles on site, improves access from Foxhall Road and reduces queuing on the highway.
It also has a new raised level construction, giving better access to containers for users without the need for stairs.
Improvements have also been made to the site’s Re-use shop, which sells furniture, sports equipment, kitchen supplies, books, toys and bric-a-brac collected at Suffolk’s recycling centres and which would otherwise have been disposed of as waste.
Cllr Richard Smith MVO, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Transport Strategy and Waste, said:
“The fantastic news that the state-of-the-art facility at Foxhall has opened ahead of schedule is a welcome early Christmas present for us all. I would like to thank the public for their patience while the construction works took place. This is a significant redevelopment of the county’s busiest recycling centre which will serve the people of Suffolk for many years to come.”
Cllr Kay Yule, East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Coastal Management, said:
“East Suffolk Council can charge developers when new housing is built in the district and these contributions, known as Community Infrastructure Levy, can then be put towards improvements to local infrastructure for the benefit of the community. We are pleased to have been able to support these essential improvements at the recycling centre with over £950,000 collected through developer contributions. The works, which have been completed ahead of schedule, will enable local residents to continue to dispose of their household waste safely and responsibly.”
Steve Longdon, CEO of FCC Environment, said:
“FCC Environment operates around 100 Household Waste and Recycling Centres in the UK recycling as much as we possibly can in the physical space available at the centres. But designing and building a new facility such as this, which places what users of the site need at the heart of the design, is a very positive move not just for members of the public, but the new site will enable us to maximise the amount that is reused and recycled making a real environmental contribution by doing the right thing. I am delighted that this site is now open and doing just that.”
Annett Thompson, Senior Project Manager at Concertus, said:
“Completing this project has been a challenge but the strong teamwork working alongside the client has enabled us to achieve a successful outcome that will benefit all of us living in Ipswich and beyond. Huge thanks go to all parties in making this important project a reality”.
Jakob Betts, Construction Manager at R G Carter, said:
“Foxhall Recycling Centre is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through teamwork. Its success has been a testament to the collaboration of R G Carter, Concertus and Suffolk County Council, and all stakeholders involved. We have been proud to play our part in this facility, which will help encourage the local community to reuse, reduce and recycle, and play a positive impact on a sustainable future for all.”
The project was originally expected to cost £7.8 million, but the increased cost of materials and high inflation since the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine resulted in the final cost of the refurbishment being £8.3 million. The construction work was all completed within the agreed contract price and the scheme benefitted from a £958,914 contribution from East Suffolk Council through the Community Infrastructure Levy on development schemes.
To visit the recycling centre, you will need to book an appointment on suffolk.gov.uk. Appointments are not needed to visit the Re-use Shop, which is open 7 days a week.