A NEW plan for a household recycling centre on the edge of Marlborough is getting a cautious welcome in the town.

At present Marlborough residents face long journeys to either Everleigh, Compton Bassett or Swindon to their nearest recycling centre.

An earlier plan to provide recycling at the old station yard in Salisbury Road, currently a council depot, was bitterly opposed by residents in adjacent Priorsfield because the recycling centre would have been just a few feet from their back gardens.

The plan, proposed by Kennet District Council, was thrown out by an inspector following a public inquiry into the district's local plans.

Now Ed White, Kennet's forward planning team leader, has revealed that a new site in Salisbury Road is being considered.

He told the Marlborough Community Area Strategic Partnership that talks are taking place with the developers of Marlborough Business Park about a land swap.

The developers are being offered part of the council depot in return for allowing household recycling on the business park.

This news was given an immediate welcome by district and town councillor Bill Cavill who said it would give Marlborough a badly needed facility without being near any homes.

But town councillor David Parker, who as a former district councillor was involved in negotiations to put the recycling centre at the council depot, was more cautious.

He said that the recycling centre would generate extra traffic on Salisbury Road which is already very busy.

He also warned that the centre could affect businesses who might not like the idea of having a recycling centre close by.