LANDFILL sites could soon be cropping up in the Cheddar area.

LANDFILL sites could soon be cropping up in the Cheddar area.

Somerset County Council has warned landfill space is running out, even though its recycling rates are amongst the highest in the country.

It is looking for suitable sites to dispose of rubbish from households and businesses, as well as sewage treatment waste.

The authority is searching for land near good transport networks, but away from residential areas, meaning rural villages could be targeted.

Brownfield areas are favourable, so greenfield sites are not used up, and the council has also promised to try to avoid developments on archaeological sites or near structures of national and local importance, such as Glastonbury Tor.

No possible sites have yet been named, but the authority will be consulting members of the public over the next couple of months for ideas on where to dispose of the county’s waste.

The council is also considering accepting waste from other parts of the country.

Councillor Hazel Prior-Sankey, the authority’s portfolio holder for waste, said: “This is a very difficult issue and one where we have to work hard to strike a balance between benefits to Somerset’s economy and the need to protect and enhance the natural environment.”

Public consultations are being held across the county until December 15, but the announcement is already worrying residents.

Steve Mewes, the chairman of Wedmore Green Group, said: “We should be trying to encourage people to recycle and reuse more, rather than building more landfill sites.

“If we all try to reduce what we throw away and reuse or recycle as much as we can it will help the problem.

“We would certainly be concerned to see a landfill in the area.”

Preferred options for landfill sites will be announced in April or May next year.

To register your views as part of the consultation call the county council on 0845 345 9188 or visit www.somerset.gov.uk/environment

All responses must be in by December 15.