Council bosses in Aberdeen have earmarked two sites in the south of the city for a £24million investment in recycling facilities.
The developments include a major energy from waste (EfW) plant to convert household rubbish into fuel to heat homes and businesses.
The authority’s proposed local development plan, to be considered by councillors next week, has identified four acres of land at Greenbank Crescent in East Tullos for the EfW complex.
A seven-acre greenfield site at Altens East, next to Doonies Farm, has been selected for a recycling facility and a collection depot which would be relocated from Kittybrewster.
Labour councillor Jean Morrison, convener of the zero waste committee, said the proposals would provide “world class” facilities and help meet targets to divert all waste from landfill by the end of 2016.
The EfW plant, which is not due to be operational until 2020-21, would also provide low-cost heating for homes and businesses in Aberdeen.
Mrs Morrison said: “The proposed site has been chosen because of its proximity to heat users such as social housing flats and tenements, a swimming pool and numerous businesses seeking sustainable energy supplies.
“In addition, this will result in a long standing, derelict, brownfield site being cleaned up and developed.
“The other major facility required to transform our waste and recycling services is development of business land at Altens for a combined waste collection depot and processing facility for recyclables.”
Mrs Morrison said the development would create jobs and cut the number of waste collection costs.
It would also involve the closure of the council depot at Kittybrewster, which would open up land for a new dual carriageway link road through Berryden.
She added: “To be clear, the Altens site will not affect the land used by the rare breeds farm and we will ensure that following consultation with Doonies Farm, appropriate landscaping work will be included in any planning application.”
Council officials have already held talks with Doonies Farm. Owner Graham Lennox said he had no major concerns.
“We have been assured that there would be no noise or smell,” he said.
“It is just one of those things, unfortunately, that we have known might be in the pipeline.”