A recycling centre in the middle of Norwich could be relocated next to the city's airport.

Mile Cross Recycling Centre, Swanton Road, is rented by the Norfolk County Council but the contract expires in 2021.

County Hall has put aside £2.75m in funding for the new centre, which was approved by the policy and resources committee in February this year.

It wants to use this opportunity to integrate highway maintenance, fleet vehicle storage, park and ride and a strategic salt store into one location, called the Norwich Depot Hub.

An area north of the city, next to Norwich Airport, has been highlighted - which the council says could bring 'wider benefits' to partners and the public.

Chairman of the environment, development and transport committee, Martin Wilby, said: 'It makes sense to be looking for a new location now as we go into 2018, as it is a sensible thing to do. We have to start the process now to be prepare for the future.

'I think the recycling centre is a bit constrained. It makes sense to find a more suitable location rather than to keep the lease ongoing.'

The proposal would co-locate the county council's highways service and Broadland District Council's refuse, recycling and street cleansing services, alongside a household waste recycling centre in a joint depot hub.

The preferred site will be off of the Norwich Northern Distributer Road on land at the Norwich Airport.

The council is in dicussions with Norwich Airport, Norwich City Council and Broadland District Council.

Mr Wilby added: 'The NDR will be up and running by the time we have a new site.

'It will be easier to access the new site and it will ease congestion through the city as it moves traffic away from Mile Cross. It will be a good move all round.'

The search for a new site for the recycling centre in Greater Norwich has been underway since the beginning of 2015.

Land next to the airport was chosen because of the links to the NDR and the possibility to expand the site for more commercial use.

The environment, development and transport committee will discuss the plans on Friday, November 10.