Lymington Society condemns plan to introduce wheelie bins

Lymington residents say they fear the elegant Georgian street could turn into Britain's most "bin blighted" when the controversial scheme is rolled out.

The "unsightly" containers will be deployed in the Forest for the first time next year, despite a backlash from many locals.

People living in the Lymington area fear they will spoil their High Street, recently nominated as one of the most attractive in the country.

Donald Mackenzie, second right, and fellow campaigners opposed to the introduction of wheelie bins in Lymington (Image: Solent News) Invented in Slough in 1968, the wheelie bin has been a common sight across the UK since the late 1980s.

But the New Forest has previously resisted the change, with people continuing to leave rubbish sacks outside their homes and businesses for collection.

Despite being mooted in 2020, there is still uproar over the £5.6m scheme.

READ MORE: Plan to introduce wheelie bins in the New Forest from next summer

Donald Mackenzie, who chairs the Lymington Society, fears the new bins could damage the town's appearance.

Mr Mackenzie, 74, said: "To go from the UK’s prettiest high street to Britain's most bin blighted would be a shame."

Quay Hll is part of a cobbled street that links Lymington High Street to the town quay (Image: Solent News) The retired dentist said the Society had received "no clarification" from New Forest District Council (NFDC) on whether areas not suited to wheelie bins would still have to have them.

"What we want to know is what the plans are because we don't want bins left out in front of the historic buildings and you know, permanently out on display in front of houses that haven't got anywhere to keep them," he said.

"We have grave concern about the lack of openness from the council about the introduction of wheelie bins on our high streets and other conservation areas."

READ MORE: Why shoppers, celebrities and royalty love Lymington

Mr Mackenzie said the society initially voted in favour of the bins but was now "concerned" about the lack of clarity from the council.

"Historic areas where we have views of the town shouldn't be blighted by dozens of wheelie bins. We are concerned that the appearance and character [of the town] could be undermined by wheelie bin blight."

New Forest residents currently put their rubbish in plastic sacks that are left out for collection (Image: Solent News) Mr Mackenzie, who has lived in the town since 1981, said bins outside houses in the High Street would make the area look "really unpleasant".

He complained that NFDC had "delegated" the decision on which properties should get them to Keep Britain Tidy.

Despite repeatedly asking the council for clarity on where the bins will go, Mr Mackenzie said he had repeatedly been "fobbed off".

The new service is due to be rolled out across the district in phases between next summer and spring 2026. Properties will be given separate bins for food waste, recyclables, and general rubbish.

Lymington is an internationally renowned sailing centre that was once home to Olympic hero Sir Ben Ainslie (Image: Steve Elson) The Facebook group "No to Wheelie Bins in New Forest" has 808 members, one of whom she said she was "not filling a slop bucket" in response to the announcement.

Another social media user, Ronnie Grose, wrote: "The complete lack of consultation from the appalling NFDC over this is a disgrace.

"Many people have nowhere to keep these ugly, smelly bins, and old people will struggle to move them to the front of the property for collection."

Former district councillor Sue Bennison said bin collection vehicles would be unable to reach homes in narrow roads.

"For people like me, who don't fit into the scheme, it will be nice to know what they're going to do and when they are going to do it," she said.

"I think a lot of us are just going to suck it and see."

Lymington councillor Jack Davies said the New Forest was one of the worst performing areas for recycling, adding: "Something will have to give. I think there are certainly many upsides [to wheelie bins].

"The issue is how do people adapt and how does the council mitigate the impact on residents who are going to struggle."

The council has been approached for comment.