Boost for New Forest household waste site campaigners

Hampshire County Council has drawn up proposals to cut costs by axing as many as 12 tips, including the facilities at Marchwood and Somerley.

Now, New Forest District Council has agreed to object to the two potential closures in a move that has been welcomed by protesters.

Marchwood county councillor David Harrison, who is also a member of the district council, said: "I am very strongly opposed to the closure of either of the tips.

"Everybody understands these are essential services and their loss will directly result in more fly-tipping."

Household waste recycling centres could close under cost-cutting plans drawn up by Hampshire County Council (Image: Supplied)

Fellow district councillor Caroline Rackham voiced similar fears, saying it would take Totton and Waterside householders 40 minutes to reach the Pennington tip, which is due to stay open.

She added: "A 40-minute trip each way is not going to encourage residents to dispose of their waste properly. We'll see more fly-tipping, which is a huge cost burden already."

READ MORE: Household waste tips could close in cost-cutting drive by Hampshire County Council 

A report published after a recent council meeting also warned that any closures would result in residents having to travel further.

"The additional mileage will lead to longer journeys on roads across the open forest, increasing congestion and local emissions as well as endangering livestock on unfenced roads.

"It will also disproportionately affect low-income families who would have to spend a greater amount of money on fuel.

"NFDC believes this would lead to some individuals attempting to dispose of their waste via other means."

Household waste recycling centres could close under cost-cutting plans drawn up by Hampshire County Council (Image: Supplied)

The report said the Forest saw a "dramatic" increase in fly-tipping during the pandemic, when all tips temporarily closed.

"In the year April 2020-March 2021, we collected 3,600 fly-tips, against a five-year average of under 900."

READ MORE: Campaigners in battle to prevent closure of Marchwood and Somerley tips

The council leader, Jill Cleary, said the potential closures could have a huge impact on the Forest.

She added: "We are custodians of this beautiful area, we are responsible for maintaining a healthy living environment, keeping all animals who inhabit the Forest safe."

In a message to the county council, Cllr Cleary added: "Please re-think this policy change and do not close these sites."

The authority has said: "It's often suggested that changes to household waste recycling centre services such as charges, reduced opening hours, or closures would lead to an increase in fly-tipping.

"However, where other local authorities have closed sites or reduced opening hours there is no evidence to suggest this is true.

"Our experience in Hampshire suggests that fly-tipping is mainly carried out by criminal organisations looking to avoid charges for disposal, rather than householders."