Open letter demands Hayling amenity tip is saved

AN OPEN letter has been sent by a councillor in a bid to stop an amenity tip closing.

John Perry, a Ukip councillor for Hayling east, wrote an open letter to the island’s Tory county councillor Frank Pearce.

It comes as Hampshire County Council has proposed to close Hayling’s tip to save money.

Cllr Perry said: ‘Closure of our amenity site will increase car pollution, adversely affect recycling rates, increase anti-social bonfires and inevitably result in far more fly-tipping.’

Cllr Perry pleaded with Cllr Pearce ‘to speak, negotiate and influence your party colleagues’.

Cllr Pearce replied: ‘Surely it can’t have slipped your notice that I and my fellow councillors have been campaigning for the last few weeks on this issue.

‘We have been in both shopping centres giving out leaflets reminding people to sign the petition, with every point you have made covered.

‘This is an issue that most Hayling residents feel strongly about and are working together as a team.’

Cllr Pearce said he had met with Cllr Rob Humby, the cabinet member responsible for the decision, to ‘express his concerns over the impact on residents’. A council consultation ends on May 25.