Fly-tipping incidents have nearly quadrupled in Congleton since the household waste and recycling centre was closed 18 months ago.

Congleton town councillor Robert Douglas told Cheshire East's environment and communities committee that, for the 2022 calendar year, Streetscape had reported it cost £12,300 to clear up fly-tipping.

"My predictions that fly-tipping would increase after our recycling site closed were dismissed by Cheshire East Council," said Cllr Douglas.

"When we had a recycling site, the number of reported fly-tipping incidents in Congleton and five surrounding parishes from September 2019 to February 2020 inclusive was 26, and from September 2020 to February 2021 was 31.

"After our site was closed on September 5, 2021 we've seen a substantial increase in the number of fly-tipping incidents rising to 76 for the period of September 6, 2021 to February 2022 and 137 for the period from September 2022 to 23. The number of fly-tipping incidents after our recycling site was closed has almost quadrupled."

He continued: "Currently, these fly-tipping costs are being unfairly borne by the ratepayers of Congleton, given that these increased costs are as a consequence of Cheshire East Council's decision not to replace our recycling centre. It is only right and equitable that these increased costs of fly-tipping currently borne by Congleton ratepayers are passed on to Cheshire East."

The council said at the time it had no choice but to close the tip because it didn't own the land.

In October of last year, the environment committee agreed to set up a working group to look into the possibility of providing a replacement waste and recycling centre at Congleton.

Cllr Douglas told the committee last week: "In 2018 this council spent about £50,000 on consultants' reports, which identified at least two suitable replacement recycling sites for Congleton.

"Can I please have your assurance that this working group will be able to study these consultants' reports, because without having access to all the available information, the working group may not be able to reach the correct decision?"

Cllr Laura Crane said the working group would be reviewing as much documentation as is relevant, including the reports.