A CONTROVERSIAL household recycling centre could still be built at Poundbury, it was revealed today.

Land on the edge of the Prince of Wales's dream development in Dorchester is one of a number of sites in and around the town still being considered for the centre to replace the existing one in St George's Road.

Waste managers at Dorset County Council were forced to go back to the drawing board on plans for the centre last year after a government inspector ruled out a new site near to the existing one.

The inspector, Brent Mundy, recommended the proposed site on the corner of Eddison Avenue be deleted from the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Waste Plan after people living near the site warned that it would generate traffic on what was already a congested road and destroy meadowland.

He said it was an unsuitable location because of its closeness to nearby homes, and suggested that potential sites in Poundbury should be investigated instead.

Poundbury residents launched a campaign to stop the centre moving to the development after a potential site was included in the Poundbury development brief.

Now officers at Dorset County Council have confirmed that they are still considering land at Poundbury - off Middle Farm Way - as one of a small number of sites for the replacement centre.

Steve Burdis, head of waste management at the council, said: "Dorset County Council is continuing to look at the long-term options for a new household recycling centre in the Dorchester area.

"However, the council has experienced difficulty in finding a suitable long-term location. A large number of sites have already been fully assessed and discounted for a number of practical reasons. Modern facilities such as these can mean an investment of around £2 million, so it is very important that we find the best possible site."

He said there was still some way to go but the council was considering a number of options.

Fran Leaper, chairman of the Poundbury Residents' Association, said: "If the Poundbury site is still being considered as an option then there will be considerable resistance to it and I am sure residents will make their feelings known."