Residents and business owners will stage a protest outside the Guildhall on Wednesday, as councillors prepare to vote on the controversial plans for a new rubbish and recycling centre at Locksbrook Road.
An artist’s impression of how the recycling centre would look | Image © B&NES Council
Campaigners say the proposed facility is smaller, flood-prone, less accessible and will take far less recycling than the city’s Midland Road site, breaking Bath & North East Somerset Council’s promise of a “like-for-like” replacement.
The protest is being organised by the Stop the Locksbrook Tip campaign group, who have also launched a new website – www.stopthelocksbrooktip.co.uk – with information and an interactive quiz highlighting what the new site will – and won’t – accept.
Dr Steve Rocliffe, a climate and environmental scientist who is supporting the campaigners, told the Bath Echo: “This is a downgrade disguised as progress.
“The council promised a like-for-like replacement. Instead, they’re slashing recycling services by 70%, cutting capacity by 1,500 tonnes a year, and forcing more people to drive miles to Keynsham, or encouraging them not to bother recycling. It’s an environmental disaster and a democratic betrayal.”
The group says questions need to be asked about why the site, which sits on a floodplain, was selected at all, when the council had previously stated that the only viable alternative site to Midland Road was at Odd Down.
Accessibility campaigners have also raised alarm bells over the site’s raised gantry design, which requires users to carry heavy items up stairs and ramps.
Tim Wallace, chair of the campaign, said: “They’ve already wasted half a million pounds on a plan that’s bad for Bath, bad for business, and bad for the planet. We’re calling on the planning committee to do what the cabinet hasn’t: say no.”
Campaigners say the current Midland Road takes 31 waste categories but there will only be nine categories at Locksbrook, equating to a 70% drop in services and 20% drop in capacity.
Protestors outside the proposed recycling site on Locksbrook Road
Nineteen Bath businesses have publicly opposed the scheme with employers warning of increased traffic, parking chaos, and impacts on jobs and growth. Bath Spa University and Horstmann are among signatories of an open letter decrying the plans.
Campaigners say the council has also ignored objections from Age UK and others.
The controversial plans are being recommended for approval by council officers at Wednesday’s meeting.
The Locksbrook Road site is being lined up to replace the recycling centre at Midland Road, where there is planning approval for 176 new affordable and market homes.
The site currently comprises the council’s street cleansing depot and a car park used by the nearby VW garage. The proposals involve a change of use and operational development of the site whilst keeping the street cleansing operation.
The council has said that the Locksbrook Road site was chosen after more than 50 others within and around the city had been considered.
The protest begins at 10.30am outside the Guildhall.
As the planning application is being made by Bath & North East Somerset Council, a spokesperson for the local authority declined to comment on the recent recommendation for approval.
