‘Vital’ tip could close
TIP MAY GO IF PLANS FOR NEW ‘SUPER CENTRE’ ARE APPROVED
A “VITAL” tip in Newcastle could close as part of plans for a new “super waste recycling centre” in the city, council bosses have suggested.
Doubts have again been cast over the future of the Brunswick Household Waste and Recycling Centre, which was previously saved from closure in 2016.
Newcastle’s Lib Dem opposition leader, Coun Anita Lower, told an overview and scrutiny committee the tip is a “vital resource in the north of the city” and rumours about its demise had sparked fears over fly-tipping in the area.
The council says the Brunswick centre gets around 30% of the 475,000 annual visitors to the city’s three tips, the others located in Byker and Walbottle.
However, the local authority’s director of operations and regulatory services Christine Herriot confirmed it could shut in favour of relocating the facility into a “super” site. She said: “We are doing a review as part of the waste strategy of all recycling centres to see what a fitfor-purpose super waste recycling centre may look like in the city. “That may mean closing one of the existing recycling centres. “The decision to close Brunswick was made just prior to my appointment but we have managed to keep that open on a quarter by quarter basis. “Some of the income from the garden waste charge has helped to keep it open.” The facility was expected to shut in 2017/18 but its closure was deferred. Its operation has since been partly funded by income generated
We are doing a review as part of the waste strategy of all recycling centres. That may mean one closing
through increased garden waste collection charges in the city, while it has also stopped accepting rubble to cut down on costs.
Coun Lower also asked if anything could be done about the site being used by residents from neighbouring North Tyneside and Northumberland areas, for whom it is their most convenient recycling centre. Coun Nick Kemp, cabinet member for environment, said the council plans to issue its residents with permits in April 2019 so only they have access to the tip.
He added: “If we were going to create a recycling centre now, then I would think it would not be where they currently are. We are reviewing opening and operating hours - our hours are not in line with neighbouring authorities so we are reviewing it so they will be.”
Coun Kemp confirmed the Brunswick site would remain open while the waste strategy review is taking place.