The Swindon Road household recycling centre in Cheltenham, closed earlier this year, may reopen if Gloucestershire County Council decides to take over the site and a formal business case supports the move.
Cheltenham Borough Council, led by the Liberal Democrats, temporarily shut the recycling centre due to the prohibitive £1 million upgrade required to meet new environmental standards. At the time, the council cited financial constraints as the primary reason for the closure.
Previously, Gloucestershire County Council’s Conservative leadership declined to take responsibility for reopening the site. However, with the Liberal Democrats now in control at Shire Hall, discussions have resumed.
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Local resident Alvin Harrison contacted Gloucestershire County Council seeking updates on the site’s future. He emphasized the importance of the recycling centre’s convenience for residents and its role in reducing unsightly fly-tipping, as well as providing an easy way to dispose of small electrical items.
Martin Horwood, Cabinet Member for Nature, Climate and Waste Reduction, representing Leckhampton and Warden Hill, confirmed that talks between the borough and county councils are ongoing. He stressed that any decision to transfer management of the site to Shire Hall would require a comprehensive business case.
“This administration has reopened positive discussions with Cheltenham Borough Council to determine the realistic capital and revenue costs, explore available options, and develop long-term plans for reinstating recycling services at Swindon Road. These deliberations will take some time,” Horwood stated. “We will be meeting Cheltenham Borough Council soon. Any decision by Gloucestershire County Council to take over the household recycling centre will depend on an approved business case by the cabinet.”