BURNHAM household waste site faces closure - as Bucks County Council battles to slash £1.2million from its budget.

Council cabinet members agreed on Tuesday that it would probably be one of several across the county to face the axe. September 30 has been pencilled in as closure day, although the final decision will be made at the beginning of that month after a financial review has been carried out.

The tip in Crow Piece Lane will definitely close Wednesdays and Thursdays from the start of April.

Plans to permanently close at least one Bucks rubbish tip and reduce opening hours at others were 'reluctantly' given the green light by county council chiefs on Tuesday morning.

Charges are also set to be enforced across the county for the disposal of non-household rubbish such as construction and demolition waste, including a £4 charge for the disposal of tyres and £6 per 25-litre bag of plasterboard.

Members acknowledged the risk of increased fly tipping as a result of the closures.

Deputy cabinet member for transport Paul Irwin felt punishments for those guilty of fly-tipping are not harsh enough to deter others from the crime, while leader of the council Martin Tett said the issue must be monitored closely once the changes are enforced.

He said: “I have to say I have been dragged kicking and screaming to this. I absolutely did not want to see this happen.

“I am a regular user of our household waste sites, I have a loyalty card virtually for our household waste sites.

“They are a fantastic service we provide and we have a first class officer team.

“I am very reluctant to see any changes here, however I have to accept, with the finances the way they are in local government, we have to find a sustainable future for these sites.”

To view the full report visit democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/documents/s127710/Report%20for%20Proposed%20Household%20Recycling%20Centre%20service%20changes.pdf