Recycling center will continue operating for the foreseeable future

There are currently no plans to close the recycling centre in Cheddar, which was previously considered for shutdown as part of a cost-saving initiative two years ago. In January 2024, Somerset Council outlined proposals to close five of the county's 16 recycling centres, aiming to reduce expenses by 963,000.

Somerset Council has now confirmed that the Cheddar site will continue operating under its existing schedule for the foreseeable future. Councillor Richard Wilkins, head of waste services, emphasized that any potential closure would undergo a thorough public consultation before any final decision is made.

The centres in Castle Cary, Cheddar, Crewkerne, Dulverton, and Williton were initially at risk following the council's declaration of a financial emergency in 2024. During a recent executive committee meeting, local resident and former Axbridge councillor Graham Godwin-Pearson inquired about the future of Cheddar's recycling facility, asking if and when it might close.

Councillor Wilkins reassured the community that Cheddar's recycling centre will remain operational for now, stating, "To be clear, no decision has been taken to close Cheddar recycling centre."

The council's draft budget for the year does not propose any changes to the 16 household waste recycling centres. However, it does include a slight increase in charges for garden waste collection, rising from 68 to 73.50 per bin annually.

Author: Jackson Miller