Frequently Asked Questions about Bridport's household recycling centre
- Q: I've heard temporary planning consent on Bridport's household recycling centre (HRC) has been extended, is this true?
- Q: What are the changes to Bridport's HRC opening hours?
- Q: When did the changes to the HRC's weekend opening hours and operations come into effect?
- Q: Who made this decision?
- Q: The existing planning consent ran out on 31 August 2010, why did it take so long to make a decision?
- Q: Why weren't local people consulted about this decision?
- Q: Why have the changes happened?
- Q: Where should I recycle household waste if I can't visit the HRC during the week?
- Q: Will the changes to opening times and reduced operations lead to an increase in fly-tipping?
- Q: How can I dispose of larger, bulky items such as a sofa or bed?
- Q: How will the changes impact on recycling?
- Q: Has only opening one day at a weekend cause more traffic congestion?
- Q: Are more recyclable materials being picked up via the kerbside recycling collection service?
- Q: How were the changes publicised?
- Q: Is the council continuing to look for a site for a new waste management centre?
- Q: Are there any formal arrangements for Dorset residents to use Somerset County Council's HRC's?
- Q: It is not environmentally friendly to ask people to travel to Dorchester or Sherborne at weekends to recycle their waste is it?
- Q: Will more waste end up in landfill sites and therefore cost the county council more in landfill tax?
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Q: I've heard temporary planning consent on Bridport's household recycling centre (HRC) has been extended, is this true?
A: Yes, Dorset County Council's planning committee voted to approve an application to extend the temporary planning consent on the South Street household recycling centre (HRC) to run from 4 March 2011 for a further two years. However, the approved planning application proposed changes to weekend opening times and operations at the facility. The centre now opens Mondays to Fridays as normal, on Saturdays between 10am to 4pm (but to accept only garden waste) and is closed on Sundays. These changes came into effect on Saturday 16 April 2011.
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Q: What are the changes to Bridport's HRC opening hours?
A: The HRC opens Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm November to March and from 9am to 6pm April to October. It opens from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays but residents can only dispose of their green garden waste. It is closed all day on Sundays.
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Q: When did the changes to the HRC's weekend opening hours and operations come into effect?
A: The new opening times and the restriction to accept only garden waste on Saturdays came into effect on Saturday 16 April 2011.
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Q: Who made this decision?
A: Dorset County Council's planning committee.
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Q: The existing planning consent ran out on 31 August 2010, why did it take so long to make a decision?
A: A planning application to extend temporary consent was submitted in summer 2010. However, following discussions with planning officers it became clear that due to the unfavourable amenity concerns of nearby residents the application to keep the site open seven days a week would not be supported. The application was revised twice in an effort to try and find a solution that addressed the key concerns of nearby householders while keeping the site open. The final application, which proposed that the centre opened Mondays to Fridays as normal, for six hours on Saturdays (but to accept only garden waste) and closed on Sundays, was then submitted to the March planning committee.
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Q: Why weren't local people consulted about this decision?
A: Public consultation formed part of the planning application process. The planning application was listed on our website with an option for residents to submit their comments on it. The application was also available to view at the public library and local council offices.
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Q: Why have the changes happened?
A: The South Street facility was only ever intended to be a temporary centre while we search for a suitable site for a new waste management centre to serve Bridport and the surrounding villages. The site is extremely close to homes, it's too small and the lack of space causes operational difficulties, which means it is not fit for purpose. It can also cause traffic congestion as cars waiting to use the facility may end up queuing on the road. Planning permission has had to be extended on a number of occasions because a permanent site has not yet been developed. This time it was apparent that our application seeking a further temporary extension would be turned down unless we could find a solution which addressed the concerns of nearby residents.
Read more about Why have the changes happened?
Up to the questions -
Q: Where should I recycle household waste if I can't visit the HRC during the week?
A: There are ten other county council run HRCs across the county. The nearest alternative sites are: St Georges Road in Dorchester, Preston Beach Road in Weymouth and West Mill Lane in Sherborne.
Read more about Where should I recycle household waste if I can't visit the HRC during the week?
Up to the questions -
Q: Will the changes to opening times and reduced operations lead to an increase in fly-tipping?
A: We do not anticipate that the changes will lead to an increase in fly-tipped waste. However, we have taken precautionary measures to reduce the risk of any fly-tipping including increasing security at the site. If fly-tipping does occur, we will work with our contractor to arrange the prompt removal of the material, investigate the site for evidence and take the appropriate enforcement action.
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Q: How can I dispose of larger, bulky items such as a sofa or bed?
A: All the usual range of recycling and waste disposal facilities will remain at the site and as a result large, bulky items can be taken to the centre during the week. West Dorset District Council also provide a collection service for large or bulky items of household waste such as mattresses or fence panels, which cannot be collected with ordinary domestic waste. There is a charge for this service. For more information see our bulky waste page.
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Q: How will the changes impact on recycling?
A: Local residents are enthusiastic recyclers and we do not anticipate only accepting garden waste at the site on Saturdays and closing on Sundays will affect the amount of waste that's recycled. Resident's wishing to recycle all household waste at the weekend are advised to use their nearest alternative . We also strongly encourage people to maximise the use of their existing kerbside collection service as well as using local mini recycling banks, which are located in supermarket car parks and at other locations in the area.
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Q: Has only opening one day at a weekend cause more traffic congestion?
A: A full transport assessment was submitted as part of our planning application to extend the temporary consent on the site. The assessment showed that the predicted average flows of 55 to 60 vehicles per hour could be accommodated by the site. As a result only opening the HRC on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm has not resulted in higher traffic flows than currently exists at peak times.
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Q: Are more recyclable materials being picked up via the kerbside recycling collection service?
A: The kerbside collection of household waste and recycling service is provided by West Dorset District Council. The county council and district council are working together to look at extending this service.
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Q: How were the changes publicised?
A: Every effort has been made to inform residents about the changes to opening times and the restriction on only depositing garden waste on Saturdays. These changes were publicised via public notices in local media, signage at the site, information distributed to site users in the run-up to the closure, Your Dorset, our website and leaflets sent to residents explaining the changes.
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Q: Is the council continuing to look for a site for a new waste management centre?
A: Yes, in September 2010 the county council's Cabinet agreed for additional work to assess the suitability of the Broomhills site for a waste management centre to be carried out.
Read more about Is the council continuing to look for a site for a new waste management centre?
Up to the questions -
Q: Are there any formal arrangements for Dorset residents to use Somerset County Council's HRC's?
A: It is understood that Dorset residents may currently use the Somerset sites free of charge.
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Q: It is not environmentally friendly to ask people to travel to Dorchester or Sherborne at weekends to recycle their waste is it?
A: It is recognised that while these new arrangements are not ideal they are the only way for retaining the HRC, and we would encourage residents to use the facility during the week where possible.
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Q: Will more waste end up in landfill sites and therefore cost the county council more in landfill tax?
A: We fully encourage the use of the mini recycling banks and the use of household recycling centre during the week to avoid waste being landfilled.
