New plans mark end of the road for council tip

The Household Waste Centre in Everest Road, St Annes, closed its doors in 2011.

More than 1,500 people signed a petition to keep the centre open, with around 40 per cent of users from the Blackpool area.

But after Lancashire County Council closed the facility four years ago, Fylde Council bought the land for around £225,000 and have now revealed plans to construct a new parks operational depot building for its wagons.

Today Fylde Coun Tony Ford, who fought to keep the site open, said despite the plans he hoped a tip would return to St Annes in the future.

He added: “I am still disappointed we do not have a waste recycling unit.

“Equally I can see the benefit of Fylde bringing services under one roof. My worry though is fly-tipping.

“There has been a rise in fly-tipping in the last few years and the tip closing is related to it. I have accepted the fact we have lost the tip, but I hope the county council will look at opening another in Fylde in the future.”

Fylde Council currently keeps vehicles in land off nearby Snowdon Road, but the new plans would see an expansion onto neighbouring land to make a larger depot.

Fylde Council leader Coun Sue Fazackerley said the depot was important for parks staff.

She added: “We have lost various sites for our depots to new housing and when this became available we acted.

“I would welcome the return of a tip for St Annes but I can’t see it happening.”

Residents’ fight in vain as council close town tip

Lancashire County Council announced plans to close the tip in June 2010. The decision was made following a review of household waste recycling centres in the county.

More than 1,500 people signed a petition to save the site.

But the decision was taken to close the site, with Fylde left with just one tip off Saltcotes Road in Lytham.

The St Annes tip was the fifth largest facility of its kind in Lancashire dealing with more than 10,000 tons of waste a month.