YEADON'S waste depot has been earmarked for closure - sparking concerns about the impact on local bin collections.

Leeds City Council's Executive Board is being recommended to approve plans that would see the Henshaw Lane facility close.

Eighteen refuse collection vehicles, serving 17 routes, currently operate from the Yeadon depot.

But the site's waste services, and those at two other depots in Leeds, are set to close to be replaced with a new, £4 million facility at Newmarket Approach in East Leeds.

A report due to be presented to the Executive Board on Wednesday, June 21 concludes that: "The current depot provision is not sufficient for the needs of the council’s refuse fleet and the provision of new purpose build facilities are

required.

"There is clearly a need, from both an operational efficiency and risk point of view, to relocate existing refuse collection services from Henshaw depot to a site in the Cross Green area."

It adds: "The Henshaw operational depot now presents operational risks due to a lack of capacity, and, since the opening of the Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF) is no longer themost efficient location for the refuse

collection service to operate from."

It goes on to stress that Henshaw Lane will continue to be a base for Highways and Cleaner Neighbourhood teams in the north of Leeds, and that "there are no current plans for these services to vacate the site."

The Otley and Yeadon area's three Lib Dem ward councillors, however, are concerned by the proposals.

Councillor Colin Campbell said: "Bin collection services in our area are very good with the Henshaw depot consistently achieving a 100 per cent collection rate.

"Sadly, this is not the case in other areas served by depots in East Leeds.

"We fear this proposal will significantly lower the quality of service Otley and Yeadon residents receive."

Councillor Ryk Downes said: "When there is a perfectly good base on the doorstep it makes no sense for staff, many of whom live locally, to travel all the way across Leeds to pick up the wagon and then drive all the way back again.

"If nothing else it will mean more congestion, pollution and an increased likelihood of failed collections."

Councillor Sandy Lay added: "The proposed move throws the future of Yeadon's Henshaw site into doubt.

"Leeds City Council has already said they would like to use it for housing to help meet their inflated housing targets, despite its poor access and the lack of local facilities.

"This seems to be a further step in a process to reduce services to raise money from land sales."