SOMERLEY tip will not close, Hampshire County Council has finally decided, following a review by its cabinet. 

New Forest District Council’s household waste and recycling centre (HWRC) off Verwood Road, in the way into Verwood and on the border of Dorset, was under threat of closure. 

Hampshire County Council previously said it is facing a budget shortfall of £132m by April 2025 and that as many as 12 tips, including two in the New Forest, would have to close to save money. 

Cabinet members for Hampshire County Council elected not to close the tip, at a meeting on October 14. 

Geoffrey Blunden, cabinet member for environment and sustainability at New Forest District Council, wrote to Hampshire council in objection. 

Following the decision, he said: “I am pleased to hear the county has listened to its district colleagues, and will be keeping Marchwood and Somerley recycling centres open for our local community. 

“The centres provide a fantastic resource supporting residents to recycle and reuse, and align with our goals to improve recycling, reduce waste, and meet binding Net Zero 2050 targets. 

“As we work on plans to roll out a new and improved waste collection service from 2025 to 2026, we look forward to continuing work with Hampshire County Council and other local authorities to boost recycling rates and reduce our impact on the environment.” 

Hampshire County Council estimated that by axing 12 tips, it could make savings of £1.6m out of the annual £10m allocated for tips across the county. 

A public consultation was also launched ahead of the final decision, which saw more than 10,000 people respond. 

Cllr Lulu Bowerman, cabinet member for waste at Hampshire County Council, said: “We recognise that closing some of these sites would leave large areas of the county unserved by conveniently accessible HWRCs and create additional vehicle journeys and inconvenience as a result. 

“The increase of fly tipping has also been raised. Hampshire County Council has ambitious plans for simpler recycling, with plans to build a new materials facility in Eastleigh. 

“We also have an aspiration to work towards a Hampshire waste partnership with our district and borough authorities.”