Tip hopes raised
The future of Fiskerton Household Waste Recycling Centre is looking more secure.
There were fears that Nottinghamshire County Council would close the facility in 2012, despite a local campaign to keep it open.
But since the local elections, when the Conservatives took control of the county, hopes have been raised that it will remain open.
Southwell’s county councillor, Mr Bruce Laughton, said he intended to keep his manifesto promise for the tip to remain open until a suitable alternative was found.
He said: “Obviously Fiskerton tip can’t remain open forever, but if a suitable alternative is not found by 2012 the tip will remain open.
“As far as I’m concerned, for foreseeable future, even after 2012, Fiskerton tip is not going to be closed until a suitable alternative, to which everyone agrees, is found.
“That is the promise I have given and that is what I intend to stick to.”
Mr Laughton said people would be consulted about any alternative sites put forward.
“If a suitable alternative is found we intend to do is consult with the people of Southwell before any decisions are made,” he said.
“People will be involved in the decision-making process. The problem in the past was people were not made part of the process.”
The former Labour administration announced in March that the centre would close in 2012. Campaigners had thought its future would only be reviewed at that time.
Mr Laughton said there was widespread concern in the area that the waste recycling centre would close.
He said: “Fiskerton tip is one of the most heavily used that Nottinghamshire County Council runs and therefore it is an extremely important facility for local people.”
Mr Richard Butler, the council’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “We are working to keep Fiskerton Household Waste Recycling Centre open for the benefit of local people.
“The current planning permission for the Fiskerton landfill requires the county council to close it to enable the former landfill site to be restored.
“Keeping the site open will be subject to a new operating licence from the Environment Agency and planning permission from the council’s planning and licensing committee.”
