COUNTY chiefs are set to rule on the future of Swanage's household recycling centre at a crunch meeting next month.

The plant in Panorama Road, which is on a former landfill site, faces closure, with the area being returned to nature as early as 2009.

The move has prompted fears that the loss of recycling facilities could spark an upsurge in fly-tipping, as the nearest plant is a 21.8-mile round trip away at Wareham.

A report from Purbeck District Council's environmental services states: "Dorset County Council's assumption is that residents would be passing through Wareham on a regular basis and so could visit the site there.

"However, the nature of waste generally disposed of at household recycling centres is such that residents are unlikely to carry it with them when undertaking journeys."

Options available to county councillors, who meet on April 2, include a new recycling centre at Prospect Farm, which is the other side of Swanage, or even a mobile skip service.

District council spokesman Claire Lodge said: "Swanage residents have worked hard to help protect the environment by decreasing the overall amount of waste being sent to landfill.

"We hope that Dorset County Council will continue to support their efforts by committing to the long-term provision of a household waste and recycling facility in the town."

SITA operates the Panorama Road site, which deals with 2,800 tonnes of waste a year and an estimated 48,500 visits.

A county council document, prepared by environmental officers for cabinet, states: "It is considered that Panorama Road is unsuitable for the long-term, given its prominent location on the coast within the area of outstanding natural beauty and the steep narrow access road through residential areas.

"It is therefore not intended to attempt to extend the planning permission beyond this two-year period, and therefore the site will close by January 2010 at the latest."