A public meeting last night (10 January), to discuss the Kent County Council (KCC) consultation document to save money with the possible closure of Hawkinge and Richborough tips, brought an angry response from the 150 or so people who attended.

The KCC officer for Waste Management, Sue Barton explained the dilemma facing the County Council of needing to save money although she claimed "nothing was decided" over the possible closure of the Hawkinge tip.

Local KCC Cllr Susan Carey told the audience: "You must give reasons where we can save money to keep the site open in Hawkinge.

"There does need to be a saving and we need to take your views onboard."

Shepway and Hawkinge Councillor David Monk was "appalled".

"It diminishes the facilities we have," he said.

Hawkinge Councillor Nick Hilditch, who drew on his considerable experience in Market Research was scathing of the questionnaire issued by KCC.

He said that 'Market Research Recommendations' were for questions to have an independent design which should not lead to a particular answer. He quoted Question 16, which asks: 'Taking into account proposals to improve the facility at Ashford, do you believe it is reasonable to close the out of date and expensive to operate site at Hawkinge, provided services exist within a 20 minute drive time of your home?'

Looking at the possibility of local people using the Shorncliffe Waste Site, Swingfield Chairman Cllr Barry Fletcher asked what assessments have been carried out on that site, to which KCC's Sue Barton admitted there has been none.

Cllr John Heasman drew support raising the problems of fly tipping when he claimed that with the closure, it would make matters far worse.

The meeting, at the Hawkinge Community Centre, heard from residents who made a number of points and suggestions which will be compiled by the council to help fight the proposed closure.

Many people spoke of the environmental impact of having to travel to another recycling centre and cited KCC's green policy to cut the carbon footprint. This they claimed would inevitably increase pollution with more people using the roads for greater distances to dispose of their household waste.

However, staff at the Hawkinge tip came in for praise for their courteous and helpful service.

The consultation will be discussed by KCC in February and if a decision is made to close the Hawkinge Recycling Centre, it would not be expected to happen until the Summer of 2013, after a new facility was completed in Ashford.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2012©