A PUBLIC consultation is to be held later this year into the future of a Kidderminster recycling facility at the centre of closure rumours.

Worcestershire County Council said it would be carrying out a full examination and consultation as it considers the future of the Kidderminster Household Recycling Centre (HRC) – just two weeks after telling The Shuttle it could not confirm whether a consultation would take place.

The Worcester Road facility has been shut since January so a building, which contains asbestos, can be demolished, but work has been delayed as the requirements for safe removal of the cement- bonded material is more complex than first thought. It is expected to be completed in August.

Fears have been growing the centre might not re-open following speculation the authority would be holding the consultation on whether or not to close it.

It is rumoured three options could be on the table – carry out the work on the building and use that space so the site can accept more materials, close the site or re-open it without additional space.

Council bosses said they would be developing a business case to consider options.

Independent Wyre Forest councillor Helen Dyke said there was no “comfort” in what the authority had said, however, adding there was still suspicion about whether the facility would reopen.

“The response from the county council doesn’t satisfy people’s concerns,” she added.

Conservative Anthony Blagg, county council cabinet member for environment, explained: ““Residents are being encouraged to take advantage of the facilities on offer at the nearby Stourport Household Recycling Centre.

“While this programme of works at Kidderminster takes place we are taking the opportunity to conduct a thorough review, which will take in a number of things, including safety, capacity and customer experience.

“It’s important to stress that no decisions have been taken at this stage.”

Mrs Dyke along with fellow Independent councillors Peter Dyke and John Aston are delivering petitions to homes in Aggborough and Spennells.

She said the response so far was “one of the best we have ever had to any issue”, adding: “Some of the responses say they’ve seen more fly-tipping. People are really concerned.”