Rubbish and recycling crews are to work on Boxing Day in Brighton and Hove so collection days stay the same over Christmas and the new year.
Christmas Day falls on a Sunday and is one of only two days when there are no planned rubbish and recycling collections at all.
In a normal year a backlog can build up on collection rounds that takes up to four weeks to clear – something that Cityclean is keen to avoid.
But the operating hours of many commercial and public buildings are governed by planning conditions.
So Brighton and Hove City Council had to grant planning permission for the one-off change this year because of a condition saying when the rubbish and recycling depot can be used.
The council’s Planning Committee agreed to allow the Veolia Waste Transfer Station and Materials Recycling Facility to open from 9am to 5pm on Boxing Day.
The usual hours are 7am to 10pm and Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty and Councillor Carol Theobald spoke up for people living bear the depot in Hollingdean Lane, Brighton.
Councillor Mac Cafferty said that neighbours had already been affected by previous increases in operating days and hours. He was concerned that the one-off Boxing Day exemption wouldn’t set a precedent.
And Councillor Theobald said that she wouldn’t want neighbours woken too early on the day after Christmas.
Twelve neighbours objected. Their comments were summarised in a report to the Planning Committee which met at Hove Town Hall this afternoon (Wednesday 14 December).
The report said that the reasons for objecting included
• The site is extremely noisy, smelly, dusty and results in noise and air pollution
• It is impossible to plan for a quiet, relaxing time
• It is not reasonable to keep changing the conditions to remove the respite neighbours have
• At first Sundays were quiet and then changes were made, then bank holidays except Christmas. Two days a year is all the respite residents get.
• A temporary consent will lead to a permanent request.
The next time Christmas Day falls on a Sunday is 2022.
