16/12/2025
…the former Conservative administration – who “failed to plan or budget for the very substantial costs associated with the renewal of the county’s waste-management contracts,” and the labour government, who have “imposed cuts on rural authorities,”
From the Houses of Parliament to the town halls of north Wiltshire, frustration is mounting over the decision to close the recycling centre at Purton, along with another at Lower Compton near Calne.
Last Tuesday (December 9) Wiltshire Council’s Liberal Democrat-led cabinet voted to close recycling centres at Purton and at Lower Compton, near Calne.
They said the decision was being taken because private company Hills Waste Services, which operates the two facilities on behalf of Wiltshire Council, was asking for an “unjustifiable” amount of money to renew the contract.
Originally, the cabinet was being asked to seek an extension to the contract, which expires on July 31 next year, while it consulted the public on the matter.
But after going into a private session – from which the press and public were excluded – the motion was amended to seek an immediate exit from the contract when it expires next summer.
South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage – a fellow Liberal Democrat – has published an open letter to council leader Ian Thorn urging action.
“Many residents in the north of Wiltshire – particularly around Cricklade and Purton, which form part of my South Cotswolds constituency – are deeply concerned about the future of their local recycling provision,” she writes.
While seeking to lay the blame at the door of the former Conservative administration – who “failed to plan or budget for the very substantial costs associated with the renewal of the county’s waste-management contracts,” and the labour government, who have “imposed cuts on rural authorities,” she says: “residents who currently rely on the Purton HRC are understandably anxious, and I want to help ensure rapid and practical progress on the two most pressing issues.”
She asks for “an update on discussions with Swindon Borough Council” saying “securing an affordable and workable arrangement for Purton-area residents to use the Swindon facility after the closure would provide much-needed reassurance.”
And she urges “swift progress on the new purpose-built HRC planned for Council-owned land near Royal
Wootton Bassett. Residents need clarity that replacement provision will be delivered quickly and to a high
standard.”
Her letter also publicly clarifies – for the first time – the increase in fees that Hills was asking for to extend the contract. ” In the case of the existing Purton site, the cost of renewing the contract has risen to four times its previous level,” her letter says.
Meanwhile, the town council at Royal Wootton Bassett – which now seems almost certain to be the preferred choice of location for a new recycling centre for the north of the county – said: “Along with many residents, we are very concerned and disappointed about the planned closure of the Purton Household Recycling Centre.
“Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council, along with our neighbouring parishes and towns, only became aware of these proposals when the agenda papers for the Cabinet meeting were published last week
“For Royal Wootton Bassett residents, and many others, this will leave our closest HHRC in Marlborough and Stanton St Quinton – a significant round-trip to recycle waste.
“It is not clear as to why the decision was made before the public consultation was due to take place in January 2026.”
The statement, signed by chief officer Mark Hopkins, says that Wiltshire councillor Andrew Matthews (Royal Wootton Bassett East) who is a Liberal Democrat but not a member of the cabinet, attended the meeting of Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council on Thursday (December 11) and “and expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the cabinet decision to close the HHRCs.”
The statement goes on: “Cllr Matthews also explained that following a discussion with Cllr Helen Belcher (cabinet member for economic regeneration), the Marlborough Road Depot in Royal Wootton Bassett was “the obvious first site to consider” and that work is now underway to assess the site while also exploring alternative locations in the area.”
The town council said it would be seeking clarification on this matter as it was recently asked by fellow cabinet member Paul Sample “to (work) on a proposal for the use of the old depot, which could become a gateway to the Country Park.”
The town council concludes: “Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council believe that the decision, without consultation, will lead to higher carbon emissions, increased illegal dumping of waste, more waste being sent to landfill via household waste, higher travel costs for residents, increased costs for Wiltshire Council for cleaning up illegal dumping and enforcement, reduced participation in recycling, and greater inequality by reducing access.
It said it would “continue to make the strongest possible representations to Wiltshire Council about the need for the Purton HHRC to be retained until an alternative local facility can be provided.”
Meanwhile, Cricklade Town Council, which will be discussing the matter tonight (Monday, December 15) says it
“will continue to make the strongest possible representations to Wiltshire Council about the need for Purton HRC to be retained until such time as an alternative local facility can be provided.”
✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Peter Davison
