A SITE at Runfold is being considered by Surrey County Council as the location for a waste facility, in a public consultation that began this week. The Runfold Antiques/former Stone Yard site occupies a one-acre plot on the old Guildford Road almost opposite The Jolly Farmer pub. It was once well known to truck drivers as Alf's Cafe, before the A31 diversion that took away passing trade. The land is one of seven new sites across the county being put forward in an additional consultation launched to get feedback on the potential location of waste facilities of various kinds. David Munro, the council's executive member for the environment, explained: "We have already said we want to see drastically increased targets for reducing, reusing and recycling rubbish to start cutting down on the 600,000 tonnes of household waste the county produces each year, but to get there we will need sites on which we can build facilities for a range of treatments - recycling, composting, and treatment of the leftovers." The original consultation, which ended in December, brought around 6,000 responses, some of them suggesting the new sites now being considered. "Consultants have assessed the sites and people's views are being sought on their recommendations. No decisions have been taken at this stage," said a statement from the county council. The Runfold site, immediately north of the Green Belt, contains a variety of single-storey buildings and is classified as Grade Two agricultural land. "It has good access off the Guildford Road and excellent links into the wider road network through its proximity to junctions of the A31 and A331," stated the preliminary assessment of the site. At the time of the report, the plot was up for sale, with sealed bids due to be submitted to the land agent. It was nevetheless concluded that it would be appropriate to safeguard it for waste-related use, although it was due to be sold in the near future. "The site is in close proximity to houses. This would have to be taken into account in regard to any development. However, there is scope to use sensitive design and layout to minimise impact on residential amenity," stated the report. The council will be distributing around 14,000 consultation leaflets to those who have declared an interest in the waste sites issue. The consultation documents are also available on the web at http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/wasteplan">www.surreycc.gov.uk/wasteplan and copies of the report have been placed in libraries and borough council offices. The consultation runs until April 10.