Kent tip closure plans defeated by rebel councillors

Household waste and recycling sites across Kent faced closure and reduced hours to save money

Controversial plans to close four Kent waste recycling centres have been rejected, after a group of Tory councillors rebelled against the plans.

Conservative members rejected all closure options after months of public protest.

It comes amid fears of the political price they might pay at the next Kent County Council (KCC) elections.

The closure of the tips had been proposed as KCC looks to save £1.5m from its budget.

The scheme's opponents have vowed to remain "vigilant" against similar plans being reintroduced later.

Conservative councillors took the decision to rebel against the proposals by their own leadership at a group meeting last week in a secret ballot.

'Absolutely crackers'

Susan Carely, the cabinet member for the environment who was leading the closure plans, resigned later that day. She has been unavailable for comment.

Plans to shut four of six Kent tips - in Faversham, Tovil, Deal, Richborough, Dartford and Swanley - caused a furious backlash and prompted a planned consultation, due to start in the summer, to be put on hold.

One Tory member said: "The idea of closing the tips was always absolutely crackers - the public were never going to put up with that.

"Ahead of the 2025 election, it was politically suicidal. We know that we're going to struggle at that election and shutting tips is not a way of shoring up the vote, is it?"

Liberal Democrat group leader Antony Hook, said: "It's great news but I'll be advising our campaigners to stay vigilant. I'm not sure we can trust them [those in favour of the proposal]."

Labour's Barry Lewis said: "It puts into doubt whether these controversial plans to close the household tips will go ahead as there has been a major revolt by Tory backbenchers and opposition members against these ridiculous proposals."

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].