RESIDENTS in West Oxfordshire are steeling themselves for another possible fight to save the only recycling centre in the district.

Oxfordshire County Council will next month discuss the future of its seven centres, including Dix Pit in Stanton Harcourt.

It comes just a year after the authority reversed an initial decision to close it following an outcry from locals.

Savings are still needed so a new consultation has begun which includes the option of reduced opening hours at fewer sites.

Last year it was announced local authority cuts meant recycling centres in the county were going to be reduced from seven to three or four, with opening times shortened in a bid to save an estimated £350,000 by 2017/18.

The county council held a consultation on the proposal but was met with strong objection from West Oxfordshire District Council and members of the public when it was discovered Dix Pit was on the hit list.

OCC agreed to look at other ways of making savings and creating income, and is now consulting on these.

In consultation documents, the county council says "a comprehensive new approach" is needed for waste sites in the future.

It adds: "While some issues can be resolved on a site by site basis, the development of major community infrastructure must be planned for the long term.

"Household waste recycling centres in Oxfordshire are traditionally based at landfill sites. Before recycling was commonplace this allowed all material taken to sites to be quickly and easily deposited in the adjacent landfill with minimal transport costs to the council.

"It is now possible to recycle around 70 per cent of the material delivered to site.

"All of these materials are separated and transported to different locations for further processing rather than being disposed of in local landfill.

"The logic of a network of small sites located in rural areas next to now-closed landfills is therefore reduced.

"While a balance must be struck, importantly large sites are inherently less expensive to run than small sites."

District councillor Richard Langridge is optimistic about this approach being taken.

He said: "The [County]council are listening to what was said last time and looking at ways for the sites to be kept open.

"Last year's proposals to close three of the centres would have been environmentally harmful and caused a great inconvenience for our residents.

"We are pleased that the county listened to our concerns, has re-considered its plans and is now looking at other ways of making savings or creating income. We would encourage residents to respond to this consultation and make their views known."

But deputy mayor of Witney Chris Woodward said: "It's really important to maintain recycling. We have to do as much as we can without losing our resources.

"We need the recycling centre at Dix Pit or it could set a precedent for fly tipping, and that would be a big concern for everyone."

He added: "We are also trying to get away from the misconception that it's just one group and their opinions. We at the council are trying to get as many opinions from people as possible to take them to debate.

"Witney Town Council is only a consultee but by the same token it’s there to try and lend a heavy voice for people who frequently recycle.

"We want people to know we are listening."

In 2015 West Oxfordshire District councillor Colin Dingwall suggested charging people £1 per drop-off in a bid to reduce the financial shortfall, but Mr Langridge said the idea for charging people had been dropped.

He added: "I think charging people to use them is out, but they are thinking of maybe changing the opening times. This consultation is equally as important as the last. It's important that residents give their views on this important matter."

The consultation runs up until 11 August 2016. Visit consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/HWRC2016/consultationHome to share your views.