WILTSHIRE residents could soon have to pay to use some nearby recycling centres under plans being introduced by neighbouring Dorset Council.

Dorset Council is set to introduce a booking system at four household recycling centres — Dorchester, Wimborne, Shaftesbury and Sherborne — which will include a charge for people who live outside the county.

The proposals were discussed at a South West Wiltshire Area Board meeting on 4 February, where councillors raised concerns about the impact on communities close to the Dorset border.

Cllr Bridget Wayman for Nadder Valley requested the item, highlighting that around 20% of recycling at the Shaftesbury Household Recycling Centre comes from Wiltshire residents.

She told the meeting that many of those residents live in villages surrounding Shaftesbury and regularly use the town’s services, contributing to its local economy.

A report presented to the meeting said Dorset Council plans to introduce a charge of £8.50 per visit for non-Dorset residents from November 3, alongside a booking system.

Wiltshire residents who currently use the Shaftesbury site would face the choice of paying the fee or travelling further to Wiltshire Council’s own household recycling centres in Warminster or Salisbury.

Councillors warned that the longer journeys required could discourage some people from recycling altogether, particularly those with limited access to transport.

Dorset Council said the change was necessary to prevent its taxpayers subsidising waste from outside the county, with large amounts of recycling at Shaftesbury and Sherborne coming from neighbouring areas.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said this was costing Dorset taxpayers more than £100,000 a year.

Under the plans, Dorset residents will continue to use the sites free of charge but will be required to book a time slot in advance.

The council said the booking system would help manage demand, reduce queuing and cut vehicle idling on surrounding roads, helping to reduce emissions.

Wiltshire Council officers told the area board that charging for out-of-county visits to recycling centres had become increasingly common as councils face ongoing financial pressures.

They also confirmed that Wiltshire Council has agreed proposals to charge residents bringing household waste from outside the county from 2026/27.

Officers said discussions between Wiltshire and Dorset councils about cross-border arrangements were at an early stage and would feed into a wider review of household recycling centre provision.

They added it would not be appropriate to establish a special arrangement with one neighbouring council at additional cost, particularly as similar restrictions could affect Wiltshire residents living near other county borders.

Dorset Council said residents living near the boundary would still be able to use its recycling centres but would need to book a slot and pay the charge if they live outside the Dorset Council area.

The council also said evidence from other authorities using booking systems showed no link between such schemes and increased fly-tipping, adding that the impact would be monitored once the system is introduced.