A council’s u-turn on bin collection changes at a park home for over 50s has been met with relief.
At the end of June, Maidstone council told residents living at the Retreat Mobile Home Park in Wateringbury there will be a new waste collection system.
It proposed one big bin at the front of the site instead of doorstep collection, with waste and recycling collected on alternate weeks.
But the plans were met by fear and disgust by many of the elderly and mobility-challenged residents who said carrying their black sacks to the park entrance would be “impossible”.
When KentOnline raised the issue, the council said a standard waste collection vehicle could not access the site “safely” and that the smaller vehicle previously serving the residents could not accommodate separate collections.
The council explained it needed to make changes because the existing method did not meet recycling requirements.
It also said it would be the responsibility of the park owner to take the rubbish to the collection point on behalf of residents.
However, a letter sent to residents suggested it was each tenant’s responsibility, saying: “Each caravan occupier will be required to move the bin to the presentation point and then recover it quickly once serviced”.
But, in a turn of events, the council has now decided to trial a slightly larger waste vehicle which should be able to access the site and collect from each property.
It told KentOnline: “The council will require the management team at The Retreat to ensure the private access roads are maintained throughout the site, as if this vehicle cannot get clear and safe access, the requirement for residents to bring their waste to the site entrance will be the only remaining option to ensure collections.”
This decision comes after weeks of delayed bin collections, which resident Francis Vousden says led to environmental “chaos” as the wildlife interfered with the rubbish, while also causing concern and confusion to the residents.
When KentOnline asked why the collection days were delayed, it said: “As the park is no longer on the standard collection system, collection days may vary.”
Despite originally digging in its heels regarding its proposed changes, Maidstone council has now said it has some capacity on Wednesday to collect from The Retreat.
On July 30, a letter was sent from the waste manager, Graham Gosden, to the park owner, Steve Lamb explaining that a “suitable vehicle” will be attending on August 6, and subject to the visit being a success, he hopes to “offer a normal service”.
Mr Lamb says the proposals are “a lot better” for the residents and ensure that they are getting their “money’s worth” out of their council tax.
He thanked Mr Godsen for changing his mind and being “reasonable” and said: “It’s going to be a great difference for my tenants, I think they will be mightily relieved.”
He explained moderations had already been made to the park to make it easier for the waste disposal team to get round the site. This included trimming hedges and modifying the street.
Meanwhile, Mr Vousden, who lives and work at The Retreat, said he was so far pleased with the u-turn but wanted to check there is “no catch” before celebrating.
The council said: “This will bring the collections at The Retreat in line with the rest of the borough, whilst using a scheduled frontline round which will ensure that the service can be provided safely and consistently in the future.”
