Councillor Morgan Brobyn, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Food, Waste and Rural Affairs, said:
“Unfortunately, we are not in a position to reopen Newmarket's recycling centre.
“It was a difficult decision. We carefully considered a range of options because we wanted to support Councillor Whittle and the local community, but none of those options could overcome the financial challenges faced by the council.
“The desire is there, but ultimately the money is not. We would dearly like to reopen the seven recycling centres closed under a previous administration, but the financial situation we've inherited means there is simply no money available to do so.
“That reality applies not only in Newmarket, but across Suffolk. While we understand why communities would want local facilities restored, reopening former sites is not something we can currently afford to deliver.
“West Suffolk has benefited from significant investment in recycling facilities in recent years, including improvements at Mildenhall and new centres at Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill, all of which are accessible to Newmarket residents.
“We also have a duty to ensure recycling centre provision is balanced across Suffolk, and I'm satisfied that the 11 centres currently operating continue to provide that service.”
Suffolk County Council currently holds a lease on the Newmarket site, which expires in early 2027. At that point, the site will be handed back to West Suffolk Council.
The council will continue to focus investment on maintaining and improving the 11 recycling centres currently serving residents across Suffolk.
This includes the construction of a replacement recycling centre in Ipswich, due to open in the summer of 2027.
