PUBLIC consultation has begun into how Bradford district will manage its waste for the next 15 years.

The council needs to find 17 hectares of land for new facilities and has set out its intentions in the Waste Management Development Plan.

It details six suggested waste sites, including the former gasworks at Marley where Endless Energy has been given permission to build a controversial £135m energy-from-waste incinerator.

People have until March 29 to have their say on the changes.

Taking account of representations, an independent planning inspector will then decide if the document is legally compliant, before it goes before the council's executive and full council for formal adoption.

The plan notes that most of Bradford district's waste is currently either sent to other areas for disposal or to Europe to be used as fuel, once recyclables are extracted.

It says: "The current lack of recycling, treatment and residual management facilities within the Bradford district is a key factor in why much of the waste arising from the district is currently exported."

Copies of the consultation document can be viewed online at bradford.gov.uk and at Keighley Library.

Comments can be e-mailed to planning.policy@bradford.gov.uk or posted to Development Plans Group, 4th Floor Britannia House, Hall Ings, Bradford BD1 1HX.