Waste wars deal struck for North Hampshire villagers
MP reveals that residents living near the West Berkshire border will receive permits
THE MP for North West Hampshire has revealed a ‘Christmas present’ for North Hampshire villagers in the shape of temporary permits to access waste recycling centres over the county border.
Hampshire residents were outraged at being excluded from a permit scheme at West Berkshire’s waste recycling centres, introduced three weeks ago, forcing those nearest the county border to make a 15-mile trip to the Hampshire facility at Wade Road, in Basingstoke.
MP Kit Malthouse (Con) said that, following meetings between Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC), Hampshire County Council and West Berkshire Council, a deal had been struck.
“There now seems to be a deal agreed whereby permits to use the site will be issued to BDBC residents in return for a payment from the county council,” said Mr Malthouse.
However, North Hampshire villagers will have to wait until towards the end of December to receive the temporary permits.
“There will, unfortunately, be a delay in issuing the permits and I am told by the chief executive of West Berks that Hampshire residents can expect to receive theirs at or around Christmas,” said Mr Malthouse.
“This will be temporarily inconvenient, but at least a resolution is on the horizon.”
Mr Malthouse added: “As we understand it, Hampshire County Council are going to send funds to West Berks Council in return for the permits. We have no details about costs yet.”
The decision followed meetings held between representatives of the three councils, and also involving county councillor Tom Thacker (Con, Whitchurch and Clere), borough council leader Clive Sanders, (Con, East Woodhay), and Newbury MP Richard Benyon.
The two borough councillors for Burghclere, Highclere and St Mary Bourne, John Izett and Graham Falconer (Con), had also been exerting pressure on the issue.
At a recent Burghclere Parish Council meeting, Mr Izett told councillors and villagers that anyone living in excess of 10 miles from Wade Road, or Andover, would qualify for a temporary permit.
Meanwhile, Tina Skipworth, who lives near Burghclere, reported a third lot of fly-tipping dumped near her home over the last few weeks.
And Woolton Hill villager Glenn Drinkwater spotted a large amount of household rubbish dumped beside the A343 Road at Penwood.
Do you have a story, or photograph, about fly-tipping in North Hampshire? Email jane.meredith@newburynews.co.uk