Nearly a year after the Liberal Democrats assumed control at Shire Hall, doubts continue to surround the reopening of Cheltenham’s Swindon Road household recycling centre, which has been closed since January last year.
The closure was initially announced by the Lib Dem-led Cheltenham Borough Council, citing the need to comply with stringent new environmental regulations. The council stated it could not justify the estimated £1 million investment required for necessary upgrades.
At that time, the council approached the then Conservative-controlled Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) to explore whether they could take over operations of the site. However, confidence was expressed that existing nearby facilities, particularly Wingmoor Farm in Bishop’s Cleeve, had adequate capacity to handle Cheltenham’s waste.
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Concerns were raised again by resident Elliot Craddock during the Borough Council meeting on March 23, seeking updates on efforts to reopen the Swindon Road centre. Paul Baker, the cabinet member for waste and recycling, acknowledged that the previous Conservative administration had “refused point blank” to support reopening, citing the availability of nearby sites.
Baker added that the new Liberal Democrat administration at GCC has been more cooperative, with multiple meetings and a site visit conducted to explore options. A formal response from GCC is awaited following their review.
He reiterated that substantial investment would still be necessary—funding that must come from the County Council. Baker affirmed the council’s commitment to having a dedicated household recycling centre in Cheltenham, emphasizing its importance given the town’s size and growing population.
Meanwhile, the Borough Council continues to enhance kerbside recycling, with upcoming initiatives including tetra pak collection and the rollout of a trial scheme for flexible plastic bags and packaging.
In a follow-up question, Craddock pointed out that the closure seemed abrupt and queried whether there was documented evidence that Cheltenham Borough Council had sought help from the County Council beforehand.
Council leader Rowena Hay confirmed that prior to closure, communication did occur with then GCC Conservative leader Stephen Davies, who declined assistance. Davies verified this exchange and highlighted that operating recycling centres is the responsibility of the County Council. He stated that if demand arises due to the closure, it falls to GCC to address it.
The future of the Swindon Road site remains uncertain as Cheltenham waits for GCC’s decision on funding and potential reopening.