Plans to charge people moving into new mid-Norfolk homes for their wheelie bins were rubber stamped by Breckland councillors last night.

The council hopes to raise �30,000 a year by charging newly-built properties for the receptacles, although existing homes would not be affected.

Two standard-sized 240l black and green bins would cost �62, while the biggest 1100l bin would cost �163.

The cabinet recommended on May 8 that the charges be approved, despite hearing a number of members of the public had expressed concerns, although it said the council would not make a profit.

Councillors passed the plans without debate or comment on Thursday May 24.

Keith Gilbert, who opposed the plans last month but was not at Thursday's meeting, said: 'It's very disappointing. If you ask anyone in Breckland what services Breckland provide the first thing they will say is they empty the bins.

'All the cuts that Breckland are making, they say they are to protect frontline services. I would like an answer to my question, which no-one seems to know the answer to, which is what are the frontline service they are trying to protect by cutting frontline services?'

Conservative councillors had previously said the council needed to introduce fees to save money, and a �62 charge was 'quite reasonable' compared to the cost of a new house.