Trust joins protest over plan to close tip site

Public talks are under way on Wakefield Council's proposals for Ossett household waste recycling centre, in Owl Lane.

The issue has sparked major concern in the Ossett and Gawthorpe areas with residents starting a petition which last week had been signed by more than 2,500 people.

Last night, a spokesman for Ossett Civic Trust said its main objection is to the closure of the recycling centre as it will cause hardship and inconvenience in disposing of items people would usually take to their local tip.

"It will take a round trip of 12 miles for most of the residents which will, of course, add to the carbon footprint," he said.

"Residents of Kirkhamgate and Wrenthorpe areas also use the site instead of going to Denby Dale to avoid travelling through Wakefield city centre.

"The Trust and our local residents have shown quite clearly that they wish the site to remain open."

The proposals to turn the site into a travellers' site are being considered as part of a consultation about how land should be earmarked for any future development.

The spokesman added that the Trust is also worried that a former rubbish tip is a site "not fit for human habitation".

Many people attended a recent public meeting to protest at the proposals.

Coun Denise Jeffery, deputy leader of Wakefield Council, who attended the event, has said: "We have a full consultation programme on the sites specific document of Local Development Framework, which is out for public consultation until the end of September.

"We want to make sure as many people as possible get a chance to put their views forward on this document which relates mainly to allocations of land for housing, employment and gipsy and traveller sites and safeguards green belt and conservation areas. Retail, town centre, leisure and open space uses will be dealt with in future documents.

"No decisions have been made yet and I am taking the views expressed at the public meeting back to the town hall."