Closing Blue Circle - Lafarge clarify plans

The Lafarge cement works was 'mothballed' in February 2009. In 2010 the company published their plans for total closure of the cement-making part of the works, though it continues as a distribution depot. Lafarge intends to maintain the site's cement mills for grinding and blending cement products using clinker transported from the company's other UK cement works.

No further quarrying will take place, and the company will eventually demolish the kilns. The chimney may also be demolished, although Wiltshire council are looking at the possibility of using it for waste incineration.

The site could have a number of uses in the long term, with waste disposal being the most likely, though it could also be used for industrial units if that was commercially viable.

The whole Westbury Cement Works site has been identified by Wiltshire Council as a potential strategic waste management site in their Waste Development Framework. If this is progressed then it is possible that some form of waste treatment facility could be introduced subject to compatibility with continued cement operations.