THE results of a consultation into the possible closure of Middlewich’s household waste recycling centre (HWRC) have been released.

Cheshire East Council’s Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard the feedback from residents last Friday (February 12).

The survey was created because council-owned company ANSA’s contract with operators HW Martin is up in 2023, prompting questions over the future of the HWRCs — with three out of four council options seeing Middlewich’s site close.

By far the most popular option was to keep the centres open as they are now, with 50 per cent strongly agreed, and the second-most popular choice was the only one in which Middlewich’s tip remained open, with 15 per cent in favour.

The meeting also saw a last-ditch bid to save Congleton’s HWRC suggested by councillors.

They voted 8-3 to ask the borough’s officers to make one final attempt to purchase the land the tip is located on.

The site is due to close in September 2021, as the lease on the land is up, and planning documents show it is earmarked to become a Costa coffee outlet.

Speaking against the closure, Cllr Sally Holland (Congleton West), said: “There’s going to be a precept increase of 4.99 per cent — what on earth are our residents getting for their money?

“Our population has increased a substantial amount which needs to be taken in to account. This [plan] is not conducive with our green strategy and policies.

“I think other local towns should be very concerned. This proposal is going to impact greatly as the site in Congleton is used a great, great deal.”

However, one of the members to vote against the bid was Middlewich Cllr Mike Hunter.

The Labour councillor said: “We have to say, if the money is not there, where are we getting it from. I cannot vote for that if we do not know how to pay for it.”

The committee’s recommendation will now go to the council’s cabinet on March 9 for approval.