Monday 7 November 2022

MORE THAN 170 objections have so far been lodged on East Riding Council’s public planning portal against proposals to build a new recycling centre on land north west of the Ings Road Picnic Site in Molescroft, to replace the existing facility at Weel.

Three public exhibitions about the plans have so far been held, the last on Thursday last week, with the council saying the new site will be much larger and more spacious, with better access and capacity to cope with the area’s expanding population. 

But strength of feeling against the proposals continues to grow, with protest leaflets delivered to homes in the area. The lengthy objections can be viewed on the council’s planning portal. One objector, Mark Rogers, of Hambling Drive, commented: “It is perverse for an Eco / Recycling facility to take up a greenfield site, and flies in the face of the ethos of ERYC.” And he continued: “Over £10m of scarce public funds are to be allocated to the project in times of real hardship for residents. To purchase greenfield site / greenbelt land will take a significant chunk of the said budget. Costings of remedial work at Weel, and the costs associated with already-owned brownfield sites should be discussed and made public.”

EAST Riding councillors have been told there will be a £3.3 million gap in the council’s general budget by the end of this financial year, up from the previously projected £2.5 million. The council’s Cabinet heard that the budget for schools alone was projected to be overspent by £7.8 million. 

Cllr Victoria Aitken, portfolio holder for education, said the East Riding remained the fourth-lowest funded authority in England, while council leader Jonathan Owen said he had never known as much financial uncertainty in all his time in local government.