Introduction
Ensuring a balanced and beneficial outcome
Cemex is progressing plans to provide an attenuation layer across the former Hales landfill site in Small Dole to mitigate the impact of climate change by improving long term sustainable management of leachate.
The project will provide long-term benefits:
- Protecting the River Adur from the effects of climate change
- Enhancing the environment by increasing biodiversity
- Providing a new permissive footpath
Register
Keep up to date
If you would like to receive an email update on our proposals, please provide your email address.
Have your say
We want to hear your thoughts on the plans for Small Dole
The site
Site location and masterplan
The former Hales Landfill site is located to the south and west of Small Dole, 2km to the north of Upper Beeding and 2.6km to the south of Henfield.
Former Hales landfill site
Valencia’s site
Key features
Future proofing the former landfill against climate change
Attenuation and drainage
Controlling water flow
To ensure that extreme or increased rainfall events do not cause leachate to rise within the landfill and discharge in an uncontrolled way into the River Adur.
History
History of the former Hales landfill site
The site accepted commercial and industrial waste and has a leachate treatment facility. The landfill has a thin layer of restoration soils that allows high levels of rainwater infiltration into the waste. This generates a large volume of weak leachate (contaminated liquid that is generated from water percolating through any waste material). The leachate is collected and pumped from the landfill and treated on-site.
Cemex needs to take action to future proof the landfill against climate change to ensure that extreme or increased rainfall events do not cause leachate to rise within the landfill and discharge in an uncontrolled way into the River Adur. The proposed solution to counter the impacts of climate change is to import inert material to create an attenuation layer over the former Hales landfill that would promote surface runoff and reduce leachate generation.
Timeline
How the plans will move forward
Timeline is subject to change due to planning and consultation.
Summer 2024
Autumn 2024
Continue receiving feedback on the proposals.
Autumn / Winter 2024
Submit planning application to West Sussex Council.
Summer 2025
Anticipated planning committee determination of application.
Winter 2026 / early 2027
Commencement on site, assuming planning permission is granted.
FAQs
Your key questions answered
Why do you want to import more material into this site?
The site has a very thin layer of restoration soils over the historic landfill and by increasing the thickness of this layer through the importation of additional restoration soils and changing the contours of the site, it will ensure that extreme or increased rainfall events do not cause leachate to rise within the landfill and discharge in an uncontrolled way into the River Adur.
Will the site be accessible?
For health and safety reasons, the operational land will not be publicly accessible whilst the works are being undertaken. However, the development is phased and progressive restoration will be undertaken. The surrounding footpath network will not be affected, apart from Footpath 2774 to the southern edge of the site. A section of this footpath will need to be diverted to the opposite side of the southern boundary hedge whilst the works are being undertaken.
Who will decide whether your plans can go ahead?
Our application will be decided by West Sussex County Council – they are the Mineral and Waste Planning Authority for this area. They will seek views from a range of consultees including Natural England, the Environment Agency, Highways Authority, Historic England, Horsham District Council and various local authorities and parish/town councils. In addition to making a representation directly to Cemex at this exhibition and via our other consultation channels, you will be able to make comments directly to the council once the application is submitted.
During what hours will the operation take place?
The operating hours for the construction of the attenuation layer are likely to take place between 0700 -1800 Monday to Friday and 0800 – 1300 on Saturdays. No operations other than those connected with the essential maintenance of the existing landfill infrastructure would take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays. These hours of operation can be controlled through monitoring conditions with West Sussex County Council.
When would work on the attenuation layer take place?
Cemex is aiming to complete the creation of the attenuation layer over a period of 6 to 8 years. If permission is granted, then Cemex would anticipate operations starting in 2026/27.
How do I have a say?
Please direct any questions towards members of the project team present today. You can also fill in our online survey or get in touch via the phone number and/or email address below. The boards at this exhibition are also available to view virtually via the following link should you wish to view them online. View exhibition boards (PDF)
Have your say
Community drop-in event
We are holding a drop-in community engagement event that will allow the opportunity for you to speak to members of the team, view further details on the proposals and to give your initial feedback on the proposal.
If you are unable to attend, you can download and read the consultation boards and newsletter here:
Monday
22 July 2024
3pm-7pm
Small Dole Village Hall,
1 Henfield Road,
BN5 9XE
Online survey
We would like to hear from the community to find out more about local priorities and needs – have your say on the proposals for the former Hales landfill site by completing our online survey.
Please respond by 22 August 2024.
About
Meet the team
Cemex UK Operations Ltd is a leading global producer and marketer of cement, concrete and other building materials. Sustainability is a key consideration for Cemex. We take our responsibility towards sustainability very seriously and recently have had our 2050 net-zero target validated through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), being one of the first companies in the industry to do so.
Our ‘nature positive’ approach
Cemex aims to reverse biodiversity loss by adopting a ‘nature positive’ approach in all its global operations. During 2022, Cemex UK developed a pilot framework to measure progress in their nature positive efforts. Assessments included evaluating existing habitats, ecosystem integrity, climate resilience, invasive species impact, and conservation status of species.
By 2025, Cemex will define the ‘nature positive’ baseline for all operations to start relevant actions and achieve progress by 2030. Cemex will conserve and restore ecosystems and reintroduce species to help nature recover and flourish by 2050.