Wiltshire Council is considering a package of major changes to its waste and recycling services - including the possible closure of the Lower Compton Household Waste Recycling Centre.
The proposals, which go before the council’s cabinet this month, aim to keep services “financially sustainable and environmentally responsible” ahead of national waste reforms due next year. But the focus for many in the Calne area is the future of Lower Compton HRC, widely seen as an essential facility for the north of the county. The council say they want to understand how these closures would impact on individual residents' access to recycling centre facilities.
Early reaction from residents points to strong opposition. Rich Jones, a former Calne town councillor, said the suggestion felt like “yet another slap in the face for Calne residents - take more money and give less services.”
Lower Compton is one of two sites, along with Purton, that the council is considering for closure, and a formal public consultation is planned for early 2026. The authority says congestion, highway safety concerns and the need to rationalise the HRC network are behind the review. A phased booking system for all recycling centres is also being proposed to cut queues, reduce emissions and manage site safety.
Council leader Cllr Ian Thorn said the wider package of reforms was designed to balance environmental responsibility with financial pressures. “By acting now, we can ensure Wiltshire remains compliant with national requirements, avoids future penalties, and continues to deliver high-quality services for residents,” he said.
Other proposals include retaining the current system for sorting plastics, paper, glass and metals; consulting on changing general waste collections from fortnightly to three-weekly from 2027, and shifting kerbside collections and recycling-sorting operations to a new Local Authority Trading Company once the existing contracts end in 2026.
Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste, said the reforms represented “bold steps forward” for Wiltshire’s waste service.
The council has confirmed that no decisions will be made until after the consultation next year.
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