Lib Dem Councillors are optimistic that their long campaign for a second recycling centre for Harrogate and Knaresborough may be successful.

At today’s meeting of the Council, Councillor Richard Hall (Lib Dem, Knaresborough), asked the Conservative portfolio holder if she could give any hope to the relief of the Stonefall site on Wetherby Road.

Conservative Councillor Clare Wood said that she was “hopeful that successful negotiations will be concluded for a new site soon.”

The Council was also reassured that money is still available for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Stonefall site when the new site is open.

Cllr Richard Hall commented:

“This is a welcome development, and not before time.”

“Stonefall is the largest Household Waste Recycling Centre in Yorkshire, taking in excess of 22,000 tons of waste per year. Use of the site is causing huge traffic problems on the A661 Wetherby Road in Harrogate. Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for a new HWRC for our area, to take the pressure off Stonefall, for some years.”

“I will believe it when I see it, but at last the Tories seem to be treating this as a priority.”

At today’s meeting of North Yorkshire County Council Liberal Democrat councillors Gordon Charlton and Richard Hall asked the Tory Executive member what progress had been made on finding and developing Harrogate’s vital second Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Conservative Councillor Clare Wood said in response that they are still in negotiation with landowners.

Cllr Charlton commented:

“This is what we were told 12 months ago. So much for it being a priority.”

Cllr Hall added:

“There is still no assurance that Stonefall will be redeveloped even though we were assured four years ago that funding was ring-fenced.”

Yet again the Tories have let the people of Harrogate and Knaresborough down.

Liberal Democrat Councillors at North Yorkshire County Council are again appalled by the failure of the Conservative-run authority to secure a site for the recycling of household waste.

It was stated in the report of the Executive Member’s report responsible for this facility that the Council is now advertising for possible sites! In the past the Council has paid consultants to find sites. Eleven were identified but this came to nothing.

At today’s meeting of the Council, Lib Dem Councillor Gordon Charlton (Harrogate Saltergate) asked the question as to how much the external consultants had been paid, and for what.

Cllr Charlton said:

“It seems that considerable sums of money have been wasted for no result. Lib Dems believe this is outrageous and no assurance was given in response to the question as to the future of a second recycling site.”

“A second recycling site for the district is desperately needed because at the moment  the only site in the area, on Wetherby Road, Harrogate, is the busiest in North Yorkshire.”