Fair Oak pensioner slams ‘ridiculous’ waste centre policy

David Hogan took a range of items to the Fair Oak Household Waste Recycling Centre in his small Ford Transit Connect van on May 9, including eight old cushions, a lamp, a pair of shoes, and a small cardboard box filled with unwanted items.

The 73-year-old had bought the van from a friend three years ago for odd jobs, such as tip runs.

Upon arrival at the waste site, a worker approached David to inform him there was a booking system and that vans needed a permit.

David said: “He informed me there was no way I could unload this vehicle without a permit.

“The man said that management had changed and previously the rules had not been properly applied before and now they were being upheld.

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“I was forced to go back home.”

Since he was not permitted to drop off the items without a booking, reluctantly, David went home and made the booking.

He returned later that evening with a slot booked and was again turned away for not having a van permit.

David with his van filled with unwanted goods (Image: Submitted)The Fair Oak resident added: “I asked how to get a permit, and was told apply and it would arrive in the post eventually at a cost of £18 a year. This is ridiculous. I asked to speak to the manager and received the same answers.

“No wonder people fly tip, when they can't take their rubbish for recycling and proper disposal. Now people are put off from doing what's right by what seem to be stupid rules with no common sense.

“The men may have been doing their job, but who makes these rules?”

A week on from the incident that caused David much frustration, the pensioner wants to get rid of other items that need taking to a waste centre.

David said he is now left "scratching head wondering what on earth to do" and the items remain in his Transit van.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: "Hampshire County Council has been operating a permit scheme for commercial-size vehicles at Household Waste Recycling Centres since 2008.

"This enables residents to use a van, pick-up or trailer to transport their own larger volumes of household waste for disposal, while restricting use of the sites for commercial purposes.

"The permit allows site staff to confirm that the customer is correctly disposing of household, rather than commercial material.

"An £18 administration fee applies for all permit applications to cover the cost of administering the scheme. All HWRCs are expected to comply with this approach and we apologise for any inconsistencies that this customer may have experienced at this site. 

"The majority of fly-tipping cases in Hampshire are due to a small minority of irresponsible individuals dumping commercial waste. Fly-tipping is a criminal activity and the County Council continues to work closely with partner organisations to tackle this issue."