A proposal to close a Norfolk tip - made just weeks before council bosses are due to set their budget - has been slammed.

Norfolk County Council unveiled its latest budget proposals last week, including plans to shut the Mayton Wood Recycling Centre at Little Hautbois, between Coltishall and Buxton.

While the council has shelved controversial plans to save £200,000 to shut all recycling centres on Wednesdays, the council has put forward a new proposal to close Mayton Wood.

Eastern Daily Press: Mayton Wood Recycling Centre is facing closureMayton Wood Recycling Centre is facing closure (Image: Antony Kelly)

The authority says that would save £70,000 and that people living near Mayton Wood could instead use the recently opened Norwich North Recycling Centre, off the Norwich Northern Distributor Road.

But the proposal was criticised by Steve Riley, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Aylsham, whose division includes Blickling, Brampton, Burgh and Tuttington, Buxton with Lamas, Marsham and Oulton.

Eastern Daily Press: Liberal Democrat county councillor Steve RileyLiberal Democrat county councillor Steve Riley (Image: George Thompson)

He said: "If they were planning to close this recycling centre, why was none of that discussed during the debate about opening the one at Norwich North?

"I am concerned that this has not been revealed until now and that people living here have not been consulted about it.

"I think this has the potential to reduce recycling and to increase fly-tipping. It's a real concern because Mayton Wood is very well used."

A council spokesperson said: "The Mayton Wood proposal is to relocate operations from the existing recycling centre near Coltishall, around six miles or a 15-minute car journey, to the new Norwich North Recycling Centre.

"That would mean the Mayton Wood Recycling Centre would be able to close.

"The new Norwich North Recycling Centre opened in autumn 2021 and provides an improved service which is easily accessible by customers due to its location.

"The new site is operated without interruptions for bin movements and does not require use of steps by customers to dispose of their waste and has an improved layout for traffic flows and parking as well as a large reuse shop."

The proposals, which also include a mooted 4.99pc in the share of council tax which goes to County Hall, are part of plans to save £60m.

The county council will meet to set its budget next month.