PLANS to close tips in Hampshire will increase the number of unlicensed rubbish removal companies, fly-tipping and rat infestations, a Hampshire parliamentary candidate has warned.

As previously reported, Hampshire County Council is planning to save money by shutting several recycling centres, including Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham and Fair Oak.

The council’s plan will also impact opening hours and days and change the type of waste accepted at other household waste recycling centres (HWRC). The county council predicts that the closure of the three tips, along with the Hayling Island and Hartley Wintney sites, would save approximately £500,000 per year.

READ MORE: Residents say closing dump would be 'disastrous' and lead to more fly tipping

The proposal is part of Hampshire County Council’s savings program to fill the £132m budget gap for 2025/26.

Hampshire Chronicle: A 2016 protest over changes to New Alresford tipA 2016 protest over changes to New Alresford tip (Image: Cllr Margot Power)

On top of this, due to operational challenges and investment requirements, the Aldershot, Bordon, Casbrook, Hedge End, Marchwood, Petersfield and Somerley sites could also be shut.

Khalil Yousuf, who has been selected as the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for the new cross-border Farnham and Bordon constituency, said the closure of Borden’s tip would affect current and future residents.

He said: “Bordon is a tier three tip, so it serves somewhere in the region of 35,000 people, but you have to bear in mind that it’s not just the 35,000 currently there. It’s also the additional houses that are planned.

“If the tip closes, it will impact the current residents and the huge infrastructure that’s being developed within Bordon as well because there is a huge amount of housing development in Bordon.”

Mr Yousuf warned that the plan would negatively impact residents who would need to travel at least seven miles to Alton to get rid of rubbish.

He added: “I visited the Bordon recycling facility on a weekday during the day, but there were still 12 or 13 cars queuing to get in, so it’s a busy site. The figures that I have got from the council suggest that it has a utilisation of at least 74 per cent, which is pretty high.

“If the closure happens, then the residents will have to travel at least seven miles to Alton to deposit their recycling, which has a massive impact on Alton itself.”

SEE ALSO: Alresford residents raise concerns over proposed tip closure

He added that fly-tipping, which is already a problem across the county, will increase the number of unlicensed waste carriers and rat problems.

Hampshire Chronicle: Fly tipping Fly tipping (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA)

Mr Yousuf recognised the county council’s financial position; however, the cuts “will not be going to resolve the huge hole in the finances that the council has” that comes as a result of “many years of underfunding, which is a tragedy and very harmful for the population.

“They (HCC) have until March 31, which is when the consultation closes. They will look at that and do an assessment, and then I hope we have an election and a new government. And then I hope that we, as Liberal Democrats, play a very significant part in trying to reassess how councils are managed and properly funded.”