Fly-tipping a result of organised crime - council

A petition against closing the waste and recycling centre in Elland received more than 2,500 signatures

Fly-tipping is a result of organised crime rather than residents dumping waste at the roadside, a senior councillor has said.

Calderdale Council held a debate on a 2,500-signature petition opposing plans to close Elland's waste centre, which were deferred pending the launch of a permit scheme.

Councillor Paul Bellenger, who presented the petition, said fly-tipping had risen when the tip was closed.

But Councillor Danielle Durrans said there was "no justification" to suggest visitors would dump waste, adding: "The issue with fly-tipping we do have is that it is serious organised crime."

Lib Dem councillor Mr Bellenger, who presented the petition of 2,531 signatures, called on the Labour-run council to agree the plans would "absolutely" not go ahead.

He said forcing drivers to travel further to use alternative tips at Halifax or Brighouse would “make a mockery” of the council’s air quality strategy.

Councillor Paul Bellenger said the council needed to confirm the site would remain open

Ms Durrans, cabinet member for public services and communities, said the council had teams dedicated to tracking down fly-tipping culprits, and had the highest fine levels in West Yorkshire for those caught.

She said no decision had been made to close the centre, with the council awaiting a report assessing the impact of the permit scheme across the council's five tips, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

This aimed to save money by reducing the amount of waste brought by people from outside the borough.

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