Hampshire County Council tip closing proposal criticised

As previously reported, HCC wants to shut several tips across the county, including Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham and Fair Oak in a bid to save money.

The council’s plan will also impact opening hours and days and change the type of waste accepted at other household waste recycling centres (HWRC).

The council has presented its proposal as part of the plan to meet the forecasted £132 million budget shortfall by April 2025.

READ MORE: Hampshire County Council expected to use £86m from reserves to balance the budget

A protest over controversial plans for Alresford recycling centre in 2021. From left: Samatha Dalling, Yvette Riley, Lib Dem candidate for city council election in Alresford ward and Cllr Jackie Porter The closure of the three sites near Winchester, along with the Hayling Island and Hartley Wintney sites, would save approximately £500,000 per year.

However, this plan has seen backlash from members of Winchester City Council, with several warning that the closures could lead to increased instances of fly tipping.

Cllr Frank Pearson, ward councillor for Central Meon Valley, told the Chronicle: “Frankly, I find the proposal quite disgusting. It has been in the air for several years now; the council has been talking about closing them in favour of ‘super tips’ such as the one in Winchester.

Cllr Frank Pearson (Image: Contributed)“The Bishop’s Waltham tip is not a super tip, but it is important locally. I know that local people from Swanmore travel the two-and-a-half, three miles down the road to use the tip.

“A lot of people will say that (closing the tips) is going to increase the amount of fly tipping. It is a big problem. People are going to be asked to pay more and more to deal with it.”

Cllr Jonathan Williams, ward councillor for Bishop’s Waltham, said: “The Bishop's Waltham tip isn't just essential for Bishop's Waltham, but also for the wider Meon Valley. People from Wickham, Swanmore, and other communities rely on it too.

Cllr Jonathan Williams (Image: Newsquest)“This won't just cut recycling, but also risks increasing fly-tipping, traffic, and pollution.”

Cllr Margot Power, ward councillor for Alresford, said: “I'm strongly opposed to these plans, although unsurprised that Conservative Councillors at Hampshire are putting them forward.

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“The County Council has been running down the Alresford Tip since 2016. They've restricted pedestrian access, cut what can be disposed of there and introduced an onerous booking system - then complained that not enough people use it.

“If Alresford closes, how can it make sense environmentally to drive to Alton or Winchester instead?”

Cllr Fiona Isaacs, who is also a ward councillor for Alresford, said: “I have asked the community to look and prepare – I have asked community groups and residents to join a non-political group looking at options to see what our plan would be if (the Alresford tip) does close and whether it is viable from a community perspective.

Cllr Fiona Isaacs (Image: WCC)“We want to be prepared for various options, but my preference is that it remains open.”

A public consultation on the plans is currently open for residents to make their opinions heard. It will close on March 31.

Members of the public will be able to give feedback on the plans online or via a printable form.