Council
sticks to its guns over recycling rent
CHIPPING Norton Town Council is standing its ground
over land it owns at a proposed new recycling site, after being offered only a
“peppercorn rent” for its use. West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) plans
to develop the site at Greystones into a recycling centre, following the
closure of Dean Pit in September last year. However, a strip of access land to
the new site belonging to the town council – which WODC needs to widen to
improve access – is causing controversy.
The town council has requested £13,500 per year
from WODC to rent the land for 10 years, if permission to develop the site is
granted, but WODC’s offer is well below that figure. “We have said no,” said
Deputy Mayor Mike Tysoe. “We’re sticking to £13,500 a year. We’ve given them
our offer but we’ve not had a firm counter proposal. “We’re in the process of
negotiation. We have a responsibility for the people in Chipping Norton so they
have facilities to recycle. “We’ve told them to
put their money where their mouth is. We’re not stonewalling, they are being
extremely slow.”
Other councillors were outraged. “If the strip of
land was owned by a private company they wouldn’t dare offer a peppercorn
rent,” said Councillor David Heyes. “I
don’t see why we are any different.” “We’re sticking to our guns,” added Cllr
Alex Corfield. “We’ve an obligation to the town’s people to get income from it
and to retain the use of the land for recycling.”
David Neudegg, chief executive of WODC, said:
“Last week we had a positive meeting with representatives of the town council.
The district council will be shortly putting forward a proposal with the town
council for their further consideration.Ed: When this first came to council several years back WODC said they were prepared to spend One Million Pounds to de-commission Dean Pit and build a new recycling centre, it defies belief the council are actually talking to WODC over a measly £13.500 after WODC are prepared to spend a million quid, after they said their preferred choice was Enstone. If the council are hell bent on having this eyesore dumped on Chipping Norton they should ask for a one off payment of £150.000.00 towards the Town Hall roof, this would make WODC reconsider dumping this in town.
WODC are doing this out of cheapness, they own the land and now want access for next to nothing, for goodness sake council if you value the health and safety of the young children on their playing field with the extra traffic then say NO.