A SIX-week consultation has been launched, giving people the chance to have a say on the future of Stockton Heath Community Recycling Centre on Sandy Lane.
The consultation forms part of Warrington Borough Council’s plans to modernise community recycling, make the significant improvements required to meet Environment Agency standards and comply with current permit requirements.
More than 1,400 people have already signed an online petition opposing any move to close the facility.
There are three community recycling centres in Warrington. Gatewarth is the largest and is located to the west of the town centre; Woolston, a smaller site than Gatewarth, is located to the east; and Stockton Heath, the smallest of the three, is located in the south of the town.
The council is moving ahead with modernisation plans for Gatewarth and Woolston, with a combined investment of around £1.7m approved, to bring them up to necessary standards.
But council chiefs believe the size and access restrictions at Stockton Heath, together with the impact on immediate neighbours, mean it would be challenging to carry out upgrades to this site.
In addition, levels of general waste received by Stockton Heath have decreased by more than 30 per cent over the last three years, and the average cost per tonne of operating the site is double that of Gatewarth and Woolston.
The consultation will include a range of questions around the most frequently used sites, the types of waste recycled, value for money and potential alternative locations for a recycling centre in south Warrington. All comments received will feed into the council’s recommendations.
The council’s lead member for the environment, Cllr Judith Guthrie, said: “It’s vital that we operate an efficient, value-for-money and fit-for-purpose recycling service, which fully complies with current legislation. Warrington residents are recycling well, and we want to continue to support this through the modernisation of the service.
“It’s great news that we are moving forward with our investment plans for Gatewarth and Woolston recycling centres. However, it’s also important that we understand the public’s views on waste recycling provision at the existing Stockton Heath site.
“I’d urge everyone who would like to have a say on the future of the site to get involved in the consultation. All responses will be taken on-board and carefully considered, together with factors such as affordability and practicality.”
To take part in the consultation, visit www.warrington.gov.uk/consultation and click on “Sandy Lane Community Recycling Centre consultation.”
The consultation runs until Sunday July 29.
But local councillors are opposed to any plans to close the recyclign centre – see video below.
