Ilkley MP says new HWRC site must be found

The former HWRC site in Ilkley has been sold

MP Robbie Moore has welcomed the decision today by Bradford Council to reopen Sugden End Household Waste and Recycling Centre [HWRC], but says the Council must now turn its attention to finding a new permanent site in Ilkley.

Bradford Council’s Executive agreed on Tuesday 8 September 2026 that the Worth Valley site at Sugden End will reopen, with the site expected to be operational before Christmas 2026.

The decision follows nearly three years of campaigning by Mr Moore, local Conservative councillors and thousands of residents, after the previous Labour administration closed the household waste and recycling centres at Sugden End and Golden Butts in Ilkley.

More than 10,000 residents signed a petition launched by Robbie Moore calling for the closures to be reversed, demonstrating the strength of feeling across the district.

Mr Moore has continued to raise the issue directly with Bradford Council and in Parliament, working alongside Worth Valley District Councillors Rebecca Poulsen, Chris Herd and Paul Golding.

Since the closures, residents have faced longer journeys to dispose of household waste, while queues at Keighley’s Household Waste and Recycling Centre on Royd Ings Avenue have placed additional pressure on the service. Concerns have also been raised about increased fly-tipping and the strain placed on kerbside collections.

Robbie Moore MP, Cllr Rebecca Poulsen and Cllr Paul Golding at Sugden End HWRC

Commenting on the decision, Robbie Moore MP said: “It is welcome news that Bradford Council has finally listened to residents and agreed to reopen Sugden End. The closure of the site was a deeply misguided decision which has left residents facing longer journeys, put huge pressure on Keighley’s Waste Centre with long queues, and contributed to a dramatic increase in fly-tipping locally.

“For nearly three years, I have worked alongside our local Conservative councillors and thousands of residents to make the case for Sugden End to reopen. More than 10,000 people signed our petition, sending the Council a very clear message that this closure was not acceptable.

“I am pleased the Council has recognised the value Sugden End provides for local residents and taxpayers, and now a decision has been made, they need to get it opened as soon as possible.”

However, Mr Moore has stressed that the priority must now be finding a new permanent site in Ilkley.

Golden Butts Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Ilkley remains closed, after the previous administration sold the site as part of its asset disposal programme.

Unlike Sugden End, there is currently no existing site to reopen in Ilkley. Mr Moore has therefore written to Bradford Council again, urging the authority to actively identify and secure a suitable new site in Ilkley and deliver a permanent replacement for Golden Butts.

He added: “While the reopening of Sugden End is a welcome step in the right direction, the job is not finished.

“Golden Butts in Ilkley was closed and sold off, and residents have been left without a proper local facility. The Council now needs to identify a suitable new site in Ilkley and deliver a permanent replacement.

“We cannot simply expect Ilkley residents to continue travelling elsewhere or rely on inadequate provision. If we are serious about tackling fly-tipping and delivering services that work for local people, the Council must find a new site in Ilkley and get a permanent household waste and recycling centre back up and running.

“I will continue to press Bradford Council to identify a suitable site and make sure Ilkley gets the local provision it needs.”