Bucks tip that was shut in 2019 could be re-opened
The Council has revealed it's considering a new proposal
A bid to re-open a closed recycling centre is being explored.
Bucks Council confirmed it is “currently investigating a proposal” for the re-opening of Bledlow Ridge Household Recycling Centre.
It was in response to a ‘well-meaning but premature’ social media post by Princes Risborough Town Council last week.
Bucks Council said there is still a due process before any formal communication on the future of the site is made.
The facility closed in 2019 and in response Cllrs Carl Etholen and the late Bill Bendyshe-Brown formed a Community Interest Company (CIC) “as a vehicle to drive a planning application forward” to re-open it.
The men formed the company after ‘more than 4,500 residents opposed the closure’.
The application was deferred due to the pandemic.
Also, since its closure, an adjacent wooded area became a dumping ground.
Piles of rubbish including carpet, wooden frames, shelving, buckets, paint tins and other building materials were cleared in February.
'Work is progressing'
Cllr Etholen said at the time some people were unwilling to journey to other facilities in Bucks and the re-opened Bledlow Ridge centre would help.
An update on plans for the site is expected “in due course”.
“Buckinghamshire Council, as part of the annual budget process, is currently investigating a proposal for the potential re-opening of the former Bledlow HRC site for the benefit of local Buckinghamshire residents in that area of the county,” said Cllr Gary Hall.
“Work is progressing and there will be an update on the situation once any final decision is made by Buckinghamshire Council formally.”
He added: “Tuesday’s announcement, though well-meaning, was somewhat premature and there is still a due process to be observed before the council will make a formal communication on the future of the site, including consultations with local parish councils in the area.
“The council will give an updated statement in due course.”