Protesters urge reprieve for threatened waste tips

Dozens of campaigners gathered at a threatened tip in Bishop's Waltham

A large protest has been held over a council's plan to close half of its waste tips.

Hampshire County Council's cabinet, which meets on Monday, has been recommended to agree to shut 12 of its 24 household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) from summer 2025 in order to save £1.6m.

The Conservative-run authority said its remaining sites would be able to cope with the increased demand.

However, protesters gathered at one of the threatened sites in Bishop's Waltham said the move would cause frustration, fly-tipping and more traffic.

About 100 campaigners held signs and chanted during the protest, which was organised by the Liberal Democrats.

Winchester Lib Dem MP Danny Chambers said: "We know the council wants to save money but, the truth is, this won't save money because we'll end up with more fly-tipping which actually costs the taxpayer more to deal with."

Campaigners said the closures would lead to more fly-tipping

Martin Tod, a Hampshire county councillor and leader of Winchester City Council, said: "Hampshire, as well as the Conservatives taking it into a financial crisis, also has one of the lowest recycling rates of any county council in the country.

"Also, they've gone far beyond national standards in terms of how far they're expecting people to drive. It'll be seven miles to the nearest tip from Bishop's Waltham."

More than 10,000 people have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals, a council report said.

However, it said: "Reducing the HWRC service towards a legal minimum service level would contribute towards addressing the county council’s budget deficit of £175m from April 2025."

The cabinet meeting will also consider savings on road maintenance, homelessness support, street lighting and library stocks.

Previously, council leader Nick Adams-King said: “We have listened very carefully to the... strength of feeling and concern amongst many residents.

"My cabinet colleagues and I will be giving full consideration to the consultation responses [and] the impact of the proposals on the public."

Waste tips recommended for closure

• Aldershot

• Alresford

• Bishop's Waltham

• Bordon

• Casbrook (near Romsey)

• Fair Oak

• Hartley Wintney

• Hayling Island

• Hedge End

• Marchwood

• Petersfield

• Somerley (near Ringwood)