TODAY is judgement day for Swanage’s planned £2.8m household recycling centre.

Dorset County Council chiefs, working to plug a massive £40m hole in their three-year budget, will decide whether or not to continue with the planned centre at the Prospect Business Park.

The decision comes as it emerged four of the county’s existing household recycling centres may face closure, as the authority’s environment service looks to claw back £585,000.

Question marks were first raised over the Swanage project’s future last month, when county environment boss Robert Gould announced it would be considered as part of Dorset’s widespread spending review.

This decision, which could see the planned centre being scrapped by cabinet today, put the county on a collision course with Purbeck District Council members, who believe the scheme is vital for Swanage residents.

County council waste management head Steve Burdis, said: “We are looking at the provision of household recycling centres across the county, with the aim of achieving a saving of £585,000 within the service.

“All options are being considered including closing or limiting opening times, reducing management fees, the transportation of waste and disposal/recycling costs.

“Initial talks with our contractor indicate that, in order to make the necessary savings, we may have to consider actually closing up to four of our household recycling centres.

“Therefore, in the current financial climate, the cabinet has to consider whether or not proceeding with building a brand-new household recycling centre in Swanage is the best way forward.”

The county council runs 11 household recycling sites across Dorset.