The ‘merchants of muck’ are at it again….

Eagle-eyed readers of the Northern Echo might have spotted an item carried on July 26 about Greencycle, the company which collects household bins in four County Durham districts – Sedgefield, Durham, Easington and Chester-le-Street.

Greencycle began collecting cardboard, plastic, paper and cans in April, taking these items to its depot at Tursdale, near Durham City.

Seems like they ‘forgot’ to check they had the necessary planning permission, though….

Not to worry, dear readers: the collective might of Durham County Council’s planning committee has been brought to bear on Greencycle, and the company has now received the necessary planning permission – plus an almighty ‘slap on the wrist’.

And what exactly is this ‘slap on the wrist’? Greencycle have been ‘reminded’ of the need to clarify and follow planning requirements about developments it intends to carry out in future. Bet that set them quaking in their boots, eh?

So it seems that you can set up a recycling centre – expected to process up to 50,000 tonnes of waste a year – not worry over-much about getting the right approvals at the start, and, when discovered, be told ‘you’re a bit naughty, and please don’t do it again’.

Why do the powers-that-be continue to treat Durham County like the dustbin of Europe? Damned if we know!