Sackers in Great Blakenham seeks permission to extend site

Three fire have taken place at Sackers Scrap Yard and Recycling Centre in Great Blakenham, north of Ipswich, since the start of January 2023. 

Plans have been lodged with Suffolk County Council to extend the site slightly along the western boundary. 

A fire broke out at the site earlier in August (Image: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service)

Documents state business would be able to "operate more efficiently and safely" if the proposals are given the go-ahead. 

There would be more space for vehicle manoeuvring, additional fire breaks and more space for smaller piles of scrap metal.

The proposed extension site measures 0.10 hectares.

"It is emphasized that there will be no increase in capacity as the permitted limit of material stored on site has been reached," the planning application states. 

Smoke could be seen from as far away as Felixstowe (Image: OBD Photography)

"However, currently the material is stored on heaps of up to 800 tonnes. The additional space will allow more smaller heaps of around 100 tonnes to be created with extra fire breaks incorporated."

As a result of the extension, it is believed that there will be a "far lower risk" of large fires due to heaps being lower and easier to contain.

The report adds: "It was acknowledged that the purpose of the proposed development is to enhance site operations in relation to safety, with the aim of reducing fire risk and how fires could potentially spread on the site."

Plans to extend the site have been lodged (Image: Archant)

The plans add that a change of use will be required. 

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service revealed on Wednesday that 1,200 fires have been caused by batteries in the last 12 months across the UK.

Firefighters spent more than 24 hours at Sackers earlier this month after a fire was started by a battery which was found in a pile of metal. 

A lithium battery is believed to have been the cause of a separate fire at Scrapco in Red Lodge, west Suffolk.