A GROWING rebellion and outcry over East Hampshire District Council's plans to meet government targets for recycling has forced a district council rethink.

Residents in Bordon and all over the district have been protesting after the council stopped collecting garden waste in the green wheeled bins on October 1.

Protesters claim it is a "ludicrous" decision, unfair on the elderly and disadvantaged, and that it could bring serious environmental health problems.

As a response, district councillors have organised a special meeting on Monday to discuss the proposals with objectors.

The cabinet was due to discuss proposals for the free collection of garden waste "for those who find it most difficult to pay" as The Herald went to press.

These proposals came as part of a package of measures drawn up in answer to public concerns.

Residents' objections on green waste will also have to be considered before EHDC takes a final decision on extending its pilot scheme for refuse and recycling right across the district on December 18.

Councillors have been urging householders to compost their garden waste or take it to the household waste recovery centres.

In addition, the district council has introduced a controversial charging system under which it will collect green waste at a price and, ironically, in a brown sack.

Chairman of the Walldown Preservation Society in Whitehill Adam Carew condemned the decision, claiming it would lead to garden rubbish dumping and fly-tipping.

He said this would attract other litter and lead to environmental health problems.

Mr Carew pleaded with EHDC to reconsider its decision to ban garden waste from weekly refuse collections.

He said: "Failure to do so is likely to have serious consequences for our natural surroundings and quality of life."

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Teresa Jamieson said this week: "Many residents, especially the elderly and those on low incomes, are finding it impossible to afford the purchase of 10 bags at £7.50 a time."

She said: "We have demanded that the Conservatives review this charge as a matter of urgency and we expect it to be reduced for people on low incomes at the very least."

Lib Dems, she claimed, first introduced the home recycling service in East Hampshire several years ago "and a full service for the whole district is long overdue".

She said: "Most people want to take part in helping the environment but a significant minority are being prevented due to this ridiculous charge.

"It rubs salt into the wound when we are told that the trial areas in Alton and Horndean are successful due to the green waste collection being free."

The matter has already been raised at a local meeting of Age Concern and members have already made their views known to EHDC chairman Peter Rodgers.

In an open letter to him chairman Elsa Bulmer said the sacks were expensive and difficult to obtain, particularly for old people on a fixed pension.

She said elderly people without cars were angry because they felt the scheme was aimed especially at them and created "an unnecessary extra expense".

Filled sacks were very heavy for anyone to lift, she claimed, and particularly so for the elderly.

Mrs Bulmer said Age Concern understood the need for recycling, but that the council's action had caused "a public relations disaster among the elderly residents in the area".

The district's environment spokesman Patrick Burridge admitted there were issues to be resolved concerning garden waste but he added: "Results from the trial areas have shown that the switch to the new system has been easy for most people and the system has significantly increased the level of recycling in the trial area.

"This is good news for the environment as it reduces the need for new landfill and incineration plants in the district and for the tax payer, because it will help to avoid punitive fines and landfill charges."

Deputy leader Sam James said: "The main objections so far are that the charge for collection is unfair on those who have limited means to pay and that the material collected is still going to landfill. We are taking action on both fronts."

Mr James said he felt it is important to continue to encourage residents to home compost rather than dump. He said it is by far the most environmentally friendly solution for garden waste.