Bins dumped after single complaint

MUCH-USED recycling bins which have stood at the centre of a Suffolk village for more than ten years have been removed after one resident complained about the noise.

The Square, in Martlesham Heath, was home to recycling banks for papers, cans and glass, all of which were owned and managed by Suffolk coastal district council.

Recycling credits earned from the banks were donated to local causes.

However, the council was ordered to remove the banks earlier this month by Bidwells, who manage the land, after a single resident threatened to take legal action against them because of the noise.

Andrew Nunn, Suffolk Coastal's cabinet member for the environment, said: "This is sad news for the people of Martlesham Heath who have lost a popular and well-used recycling facility.

"Before our environmental health team were able to assess the site and determine if there were any steps that could be taken to resolve the complainant's problems, Bidwells revoked its permission for us to use the land.

"It is a great shame that we were denied the opportunity to find a potential compromise solution, and the result is that the community has lost an important facility, while the parish council and the Martlesham Youth Football Club have now been denied a useful source of income."

Andy Young, a property administrator at Bidwells, said: "We received a complaint from a resident who lived near the centre about the noise it created. It was an elderly person who was being disturbed by people who were using the banks during the later part of the evening. The noise was driving them mad.

"Environmental health were involved but we stopped it there and then because we did not want complaints.

"Unfortunately, people were not observing the restrictions which stated it must not be used between the hours of 8pm and 8am.

"There were also issues of health and safety. Several of the business tenants in the area said they were concerned about kids climbing on the banks and we have to think about this as well."

In the year up to March 31, nearly 21 tonnes of glass were recycled by local residents at the Martlesham Heath centre, along with 1.3 tonnes of cans and 13 tonnes of paper.

Mr Nunn said: "So far, we have been unable to identify an alternative site but if anyone has a suitable location in mind, they can contact our recycling team on 01394 444000.

"I would ask people not to leave any recycling materials at The Square, but to take it to their next nearest mini-recycling centre."

What do you think about the loss of the site? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk