Residents fear new bins put historic charm at risk

Residents in a conservation area are concerned by proposals to introduce up to four bins per household as they fear it could damage the area's historic charm.

New waste collection measures planned for Hertford could save both North Herts and East Herts councils - which manages waste services for the town - £270,000 annually.

Keeley Haylett, of Folly Island, who launched a petition against the plan, said: “It does feel like the council are trying a ‘one size fits all [approach]'."

East Herts Council said it would engage with Folly Island residents to understand how the proposed changes could impact them.

• BBC Sounds: New bins to ‘ruin the area’

Under the proposals, bins would be collected in three-week cycles, and larger 240-litre waste bins would be replaced by smaller 180-litre bins to encourage recycling.

"They’re not looking at Folly Island as a conservation area and giving it the extra consideration it probably deserves," Ms Haylett added.

Residents feared the wheelie bins could make navigating the area more difficult and increase the risk of bins ending up in the nearby river.

They were also concerned that the bins could block walkways, leading to more people using their cars.

Worries about where the bins would be placed was another reason why many residents were opposed to the changes, as most homes have front gardens under 13ft (4m) wide.

"Nobody is going to want to turn and look at a row of bins," Ms Haylett said, referring to the view of the conservation area from the nearby Lea Wharf development.

Ben Crystall, leader of the East Herts Council said: “We recognise that there are specific issues at Folly Island which will need to be addressed and we are engaging with residents to understand how these proposed changes will impact them.”

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