New recycling centre could be built at former depot

The search for a new recycling centre site has begun, but some residents fear a "totally inappropriate" location has already been chosen.

Wiltshire Council has invited expressions of interest from developers after announcing plans to close recycling centres in Lower Compton and Purton and replace them with a single site.

But, members of the Royal Wootton Bassett Environment Trust have raised concerns the centre could be built at a former council depot on Marlborough Road, which they claim is "totally inappropriate".

Ian Thorn, council leader, said the depot is under consideration but councillors "remain open to suggestions".

"This land is being assessed as a potential area for a new household recycling centre (HRC) site, alongside other locations in the north of the county," Thorn added.

"No decisions on a location have yet been made and Wiltshire Council remains open to suggestions as to where a replacement HRC site could be located."

The council is inviting expressions of interest from landowners and developers, and councillors want to hear residents' views before 24 April.

Dave Gardner, chair of the trust, said it has become evident to them that the Marlborough Road site is being favoured by the council.

"My big concern is that the council will take some shifting from this view, it isn't an appropriate place within what is now an increasingly residential area.

"In our view, it is totally inappropriate with all its traffic movements and HGVs," he added.

The new centre will require good road access for HGVs and for the estimated 160,000 car journeys each year made by residents to and from the site.

Council chiefs previously confirmed that Purton will remain open for another three years, while Lower Compton will be open for "at least another year".

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