Consultation opens today on plans to close Mayton Wood recycling centre

A consultation opens today on plans to close Mayton Wood recycling centre, near Coltishall, and move operations to the new Norwich North recycling centre.

The proposal to close the site, to save £70,000 a year, was agreed as part of the 2023-24 county council budget, set in February this year.

Cllr Eric Vardy, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, said: "We continue to face challenging financial circumstances. Our 2023-24 budget aims to tackle a £60m gap in finances and protect key services.

"We're committed to increasing recycling and developing and delivering improved recycling centre services for Norfolk. For example we opened the Norwich North recycling centre in 2021, which features a large reuse shop, plenty of parking, a one-way system and bins with no steps. We've seen a significant drop in the number of people using Mayton Wood recycling centre - of just over a third since we opened Norwich North recycling centre, so it's the right time to look at the service in this area and consider how best we can support people to reuse and recycle.

"I'd urge people to take a look at the consultation and let us know your views. We're asking for your thoughts on our approach, and the impact closing Mayton Wood could have on you and how you recycle. Understanding the impact on residents will help shape our plans."

The consultation opens on Monday 15 May and closes on Monday 26 June. People can find out more and give their views via the Citizenspace website .

Further information

In addition to the consultation with residents, there will be a staff consultation for employees of NEWS (Norse) who may be impacted by the proposal to close the recycling centre. If the proposal went ahead Norfolk County Council would support NEWS in offering alternative employment within the service wherever possible.

Information provided within the consultation states that: If Mayton Wood Recycling Centre is closed, people living in the area would be able to access alternative sites, at Norwich North Recycling Centre (located just off the A1270/A140 junction near the airport) (approximately 6 miles or 15 minutes drive), or Worstead Recycling Centre (approximately 9 miles or 20 minutes drive). 

Background information

There are currently 20 recycling centres in Norfolk. The County Council is investing in a programme of upgrades to continue to provide excellent recycling and reuse facilities for Norfolk's growing population. Large new sites are being developed to cut queues, provide easier access bins with no steps, and improve opportunities for reuse by providing reuse shops on site.

Recent and upcoming steps in the recycling centre improvement programme include:

• Opening both the new Norwich North and Norwich South recycling centres in 2021
• A new larger recycling centre for the Wymondham area is planned to replace the existing site towards the end of 2024
• Plans to provide a new recycling centre for the Long Stratton area, to replace the current Morningthorpe recycling centre. A search is underway for the right land to relocate this popular site to
• A new site for the North Walsham area to replace the existing Worstead recycling centre, expected 2025

A proposed new larger recycling centre for the Sheringham area, to replace the existing Sheringham Recycling Centre, is currently in the planning process.