Cheltenham Recycling Centre Closure Uncertainty Lingers

Uncertainty Lingers Over Cheltenham Recycling Centre Closure

The future of Cheltenham’s Swindon Road household recycling centre remains unclear, nine months after the Liberal Democrats took control of Cheltenham Borough Council. The popular facility was closed in January last year, with the council citing the need to comply with new environmental regulations and a lack of funds to cover the £1 million required for site improvements.

Details

At the time, the Lib Dem-run council approached the then-Conservative Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) about the possibility of taking over the site. However, GCC believed there was sufficient capacity at the nearby Wingmoor Farm facility in Bishop’s Cleeve to handle the extra waste from Cheltenham.

During a recent Borough Council meeting on 23 March, Elliot Craddock, a member of the public, asked about the progress in reopening the Swindon Road tip. Waste and recycling cabinet member Paul Baker (LD, Charlton Park) responded that the new Liberal Democrat administration at GCC has been “far more engaging” about the site’s future. Numerous meetings and a site visit have been held, and the council is now awaiting the outcome of GCC’s review of options for the Swindon Road depot.

Baker acknowledged that significant investment would be required from GCC to reopen the site, but emphasised that Cheltenham, as the county’s largest urban centre, must have its own household recycling centre for the convenience of residents and the town’s expanding population.

In the meantime, Cheltenham Borough Council is expanding its kerbside recycling options, including the introduction of a trial scheme for the collection of flexible plastic bags and packaging.

What You Need to Know

– The Swindon Road household recycling centre in Cheltenham was closed in January 2025 by the Lib Dem-run Cheltenham Borough Council.
– The council cited the need to comply with new environmental regulations and a lack of funds to cover the £1 million required for site improvements.
– The council approached the then-Conservative Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) about the possibility of taking over the site, but GCC believed the nearby Wingmoor Farm facility had sufficient capacity.
– Under the new Liberal Democrat administration, GCC has been more engaged with Cheltenham Borough Council about the site’s future, with numerous meetings and a site visit held.
– GCC is currently reviewing options for the Swindon Road depot, and significant investment would be required to reopen the site.
– Cheltenham Borough Council is expanding its kerbside recycling options, including a trial scheme for flexible plastic collection.

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