Milton Keynes 12th August 2026: Milton Keynes City Council is being urged to rethink its proposed new Household Waste Recycling Centre at Andersen Gate after a series of recent fires at waste and recycling facilities brought renewed attention to the risks associated with such sites.
The Council has now submitted planning application PLN/2026/1600 for the new facility at Snelshall West despite significant opposition from residents. Tattenhoe Ward Councillor and Conservative Group Leader Cllr Shazna Muzammil says the location remains fundamentally wrong. The proposed HWRC would sit very close to schools and homes in Tattenhoe Park. It is just over 50m from a new children's play area and community centre. Directly opposite the proposed site are established businesses including Cranswick's food manufacturing operation, Suzuki and other businesses.
Cllr Muzammil said: “This new recycling centre is planned to replace all three of our existing sites at Bleak Hall, Newport Pagnell and New Bradwell. We are talking about a major facility being placed very close to people's homes, children's play areas and community facilities. I appreciate that nobody can predict when or where a fire will happen. But we need to do everything possible to minimise the risks and protect our residents. After the serious fires we have seen at waste and recycling sites recently, I think the Council needs to stop and reconsider whether this is the right place for such a facility. We only have to look at the fire at Bleak Hall a few days ago and the amount of smoke that could be seen across Milton Keynes. What would happen if there were a significant fire at Andersen Gate? What would it mean for families living nearby, children using the play areas, people working directly opposite the site and a food manufacturing facility across the road?
These are reasonable questions and residents deserve proper, evidence-based answers. Everyone understands investment in modern recycling facilities are much needed for Milton Keynes. But needing a new facility doesn't automatically make Andersen Gate the right place to put it. The Council cannot demonstrate that the risks to the surrounding community and businesses can be properly managed, and it needs to rethink this location. The recent fires have understandably made residents even more worried about what is being proposed on their doorstep.“
Cllr Muzammil has also asked Milton Keynes City Council to extend the current 9th September consultation deadline, pointing out that much of the consultation period falls during the summer holidays when many residents are away and will be unable to engage. She is urging residents to read the application and make sure their views are formally recorded through the planning process.
Residents can view the application and submit comments through Milton Keynes City Council's online planning register by searching for PLN/2026/1600
