Mayton Wood Recycling Centre to be closed by December

But the decision sparked anger, with accusations Norfolk County Council ignored hundreds of people who wanted Mayton Wood Recycling Centre, near Coltishall, to stay open.

The Conservative-controlled cabinet voted unanimously to shut the tip when it met on Monday (October 2).

That was despite more than 90pc of the 900 people who took part in the authority's consultation over the closure saying the site should stay open.

The council will save £70,000 by closing the tip, with council leaders saying the site was now "out-of-date".

They said people could instead use the recently built Norwich North recycling centre, with better access and fewer queues.

Mayton Wood Recycling Centre is to close (Image: Antony Kelly)

Officers at County Hall had recommended Mayton Wood for closure, saying usage has dropped since Norwich North, off the Northern Distributor Road, opened.

And Andrew Jamieson, the council's cabinet member for finance, said: "It's not that we are simply closing a recycling centre. We have spent £2.8m on a new recycling centre."

Andrew Jamieson, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for finance (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Mr Jamieson said Mayton Wood was "old and out-of-date" and that investment in new recycling centres would mean people would get better services at others - even though that would mean they had to travel further.

Norwich North Recycling Centre (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He said he did not accept the argument that could lead to more fly-tipping. He said travelling further to get rid of rubbish would not make people "heave it into the nearest ditch".

Fellow Conservative county councillor Greg Peck said the tip was "not fit for purpose".

Liberal Democrat county councillor Dan Roper (Image: Dan Roper)

But Dan Roper, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hevingham and Spixworth, said: "This was a done deal, the consultation was a sham as the cabinet completely ignored the 92pc of responses who opposed closure.

"By some warped logic, the Tories present closure as an 'improved service' and it was particularly sad to hear cabinet members denigrating this well-used recycling centre that is much valued by residents."

READ MORE: Norfolk recycling centres could introduce time slots

Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group (Image: Denise Bradley)

Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group, said: "It's staggering that the discussion about the closure of Mayton Wood made no reference to the consultation that showed such overwhelming opposition to closure.

"Now let's see this Conservative administration tell Norfolk how they listen to and take account of our views. Pull the other one."

The county council has said it could have to consider introducing time slots for people wanting to head to tips - with the government set to allow people to get rid of more DIY waste for free.