FORDINGBRIDGE Town Council opposes the introduction of “unsightly” wheelie bins but supports increasing recycling rates, with local waste services set for a shake-up.

New Forest District Council is currently holding a public consultation over its draft waste strategy, which sets out how to increase recycling rates and recycle more items from home. It includes proposals for a wheeled bin service and alternate weekly collection - where general waste is collected one week, recycling the next.

Fordingbridge Town Council’s response to the consultation said it supports the introduction of a weekly food collection and increasing recycling rates. It says it would like to see NFDC recycle a “greater range of items” and “offer this increase in service as soon as possible”.

It added: “Increased recycling could be achieved by NFDC offering facilities to recycle more materials using the current bags. Most other councils will recycle more forms of plastic and other materials than NFDC. The work by Fordingbridge Greener Living (a local environmental group) has shown that residents will recycle more waste if the facility is available. Greater clarity in what can and what can’t be recycled by NFDC is requested.”

The town council is opposed to the introduction of wheelie bins due to the appearance, which would be “unsightly” and “not an attractive addition to any area” as well as being an “eyesore”.

Storage, it said, would also be an issue for many properties, especially within the town centre and could cause “real disruption”. There were concerns some properties have no side access so would struggle to get the bins out, and about bins being left on narrow pavements. However, the town council did say wheeled bins could “cut down the number of rodents, especially in areas close to food outlets”.

The consultation has been extended until Sunday, December 20.

Councillor Alison Hoare, NFDC’s portfolio holder for environment , said: “We are keen to hear from local people how our proposals will work for them so that we can develop a service that works best for the local area, and for our environment.“I am extending the deadline for comments further, until Sunday 20 December, to give more people an opportunity to read the information and tell us their views.”

Resident engagement packs are available from newforest.gov.uk/wastestrategy, information centres and by calling customer services on 023 8028 5000.