FACED with tough new recycling targets, Dorset County Council has struggled to find a suitable spot to construct a modern new household recycling centre in Swanage.

But a bid to use land earmarked for industrial use has fallen on deaf ears - Swanage town council bosses want land adjacent to the Victoria Avenue industrial estate safeguarded for local business.

In a presentation to town councillors, Andy Price, head of planning at Dorset County Council, explained the recycling facility would take up one and a half acres.

It would either look like a warehouse or - if uncovered - homeowners would drive around a loop and deposit waste into a central reserve, to be sorted.

The new facility would replace the current centre at Panorama Road which has been described as "substandard" if the county council is to meet tough new government targets aimed at cutting down the amount of waste going to landfill.

Thirteen acres of farmland adjacent to Victoria Avenue industrial estate has been designated for industrial use.

Mayor of Swanage Cllr Tony Miller said: "We want to keep that 13 acres of industrial land - they should look at acquiring a piece of land adjacent to that."

The government plans to impose heavy fines if local authorities do not meet new recycling targets.

Dorset county council's proposed waste strategy is currently out for public consultation.

First published: Oct 21