Oxfordshire recycling centre plans prompt fly-tipping fears

The council runs seven Household Waste Recycling Centres at a cost of £1.2m

Residents are concerned that changes to recycling centres in Oxfordshire could lead to fly-tipping.

At a public meeting in Faringdon, people spoke out about the plan to close Stanford in the Vale waste centre, among others, to save £350,000.

Concerns were raised that, with other centres more than 10 miles away, more illegal dumping would result.

Oxfordshire County Council is consulting on whether to close three or four out of seven recycling centres.

One resident said: "It's very important to keep it going. It's going to lead to fly-tipping."

Another said: "100% of the people here are against closing the tip at Stanford in the Vale.

"None of us are going to drive 17 miles each way to the next nearest one, the waste is going to be fly-tipped."

Council representatives at the meeting said there was no evidence that would happen.

More than 80 people attended the meeting to discuss the future of the waste centres

'Showing resistance'

More than 80 people attended the meeting at the Corn Exchange in Faringdon, hosted by the town council, which has previously opposed the closure of the Stanford in the Vale tip.

Deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council Rodney Rose said the budget had been reduced for 2017/2018.

"No one wants to see anything cut, why would they? But they don't have to do a balanced budget, we do.

"Most people will go along with the idea but are showing resistance at the moment, why wouldn't they?"

The consultation is due to close on 5 October and the results are expected at the end of January 2016.

The centres are at Alkerton, Ardley, Stanton Harcourt, Drayton, Oakley Wood, Redbridge, and Stanford in the Vale. Ardley is already set to be closed by the landowners in 2017.