Waste closures and reduced hours at county locations proposed by council

Leicestershire County Council is proposing to close a landfill site and reduce opening hours at other sites. If approved, the changes would take place this fall.

The changes are due to be discussed at the council’s cabinet meeting on Friday 24 May. Two consultations were held on the waste proposals and the council said feedback from residents played a big part in changing the original plans.

Councilor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and green agenda, said the new plans would “balance the needs of our residents” while saving the council money.

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If approved by Cabinet next Friday, the following changes to waste site arrangements would take place over the coming months:

Somerby site closure

Market Harborough will open three days a week and Shepshed will open two days a week

All sites closed on Christmas Eve

Change to summer schedule at all recycling and household waste sites

Kibworth would be open four days a week as part of plans to keep Market Harborough open and ensure a seven-day-a-week opening at both locations. Bottesford would remain open three days a week.

All sites will reduce their summer opening hours between April and September from April 2025. They would also be closed on Christmas Eve as the council said usage in Leicestershire is low compared to the rest of the year.

The council said the savings – totaling £300,000 a year – were made with minimal impact after listening to residents’ concerns, including keeping later Tuesday to Friday tipping times in the summer months.

The council said it had “repeatedly highlighted the current financial pressures, including an £85m budget gap by 2028, due to rising costs and growing demand for services”.

The council currently manages 14 waste sites, which it said was more than other counties in the East Midlands and claimed Somerby was costing the council far more per visit than more frequently visited sites.

Coun Pain said: “During our consultations we listened and then we listened again. Public feedback was vital in shaping these final proposals and I am grateful for everyone’s input.

“These new plans balance the needs of our residents with our need to save money. We are super efficient, but the pressures are mounting and the savings from these plans will help close the budget gap.”

“Unfortunately, we recognize that losing Somerby will have an impact on people using the site, but Melton Mowbray is an alternative site, a relatively short drive away, and will be open five days a week.”