Two new smart bins branded an ‘eyesore’ outside Harrogate’s Valley Gardens are to be moved.
Harrogate Borough Council said today it would “find a more suitable location for the bins”, which it revealed cost £4,350 each.
The bins use sensors to identify different types of waste, as well as how full the receptacles are and whether they have been damaged.
Harrogate Civic Society and the Friends of Valley Gardens both called for the bins to be relocated this week because of their visual impact on the conservation area.
The council has installed six smart bins, costing a total of £26,1000, in Valley Gardens. But it is the two outside the main entrance that have attracted criticism.
Stuart Holland, co-chair of the civic society, said it welcomed receptacles to collect waste and recycling but described the smart bins as ‘eyesores’.
Ann Beeby, secretary of the Friends of Valley Gardens charity, said it has aesthetic concerns and had asked the council to consider moving them inside the entrance.
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A council spokesman said today:
“The location of the bins was chosen in areas where footfall is high and where in peak season bins require emptying multiple times a day.
“We’d like to thank Harrogate district residents and Harrogate Civic Society for sharing their comments on the bins. And following feedback from the civic society, we will work with them to find a more suitable location for the bins outside Valley Gardens to preserve the heritage of the town while maintaining a high footfall area.”
Smart bins ‘improve efficiency and increase recycling’
Two bins have also been installed in the children’s play area.
The council spokesperson said the new solar-powered compacting public bins would “improve efficiency and increase recycling”.
They added:
“Each self-contained 240l bin, that prevents birds and vermin from entering, can compact the volume of up to 10 standard bins.
“Resulting in each pair accommodating a total of up to 4,800 litres of waste and recycling and a reduction in the time and cost of emptying bins, as well as a reduction in fuel costs and carbon emissions.
“Meaning we can spend more time litter picking and keeping the district clean and looking its best.
“The allowance for recycling glass, plastic and cans means that these items can be removed from general waste and increase the district’s recycling rates.
“Much like the standard bins that have recently been retrofitted with a sensor, we are also able to monitor fill levels and are alerted if there are issues with the bin, or the bin becomes full before its next collection, ensuring litter is kept to a minimum and we can ensure the district is kept clean and tidy.”
Calls to move ‘eyesore’ smart bins at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
Harrogate Civic Society and the Friends of Valley Gardens have called for new smart bins at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to be moved.
The bins use sensors to identify different types of waste, as well as how full the receptacles are and whether they have been damaged.
But Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to site two of them immediately outside the main entrance to Valley Gardens, in Harrogate’s conservation area, has been criticised.
Stuart Holland, co-chair of the civic society, said it welcomed receptacles to collect waste and recycling but described the smart bins as ‘eyesores’.
Mr Holland added:
“What is unfortunate is that these particular ones have been positioned in such a way that they spoil the entrance to the gardens and have been laid on a crude base of concrete over paving slabs with no regard for quality of installation.
“This location is at the heart of Harrogate conservation area, opposite a Grade 2* listed building and at the entrance to a designated area of significance.”
A conservation area is defined as an area that has special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is considered desirable to preserve or enhance.
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Some planning applications are rejected because of the impact on the conservation area.
Mr Holland added:
“Valley Gardens itself is Grade 2, included within the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest by Historic England, for its special historic interest.
“The paved area on which the bins have been positioned is land incorporated under the Stray Act and as such is subject to strict controls.
“There is no evidence that these controls have been respected. The civic society would welcome meeting with local councillors to look at satisfactory ways of re-positioning these bins.”
The smart bins in the play area. Pic: Harrogate Civic Society
‘Consider moving them’
“The existing bins are constantly overflowing, leaving rubbish blowing around; the gardening team had to spend many hours removing the rubbish, and this will now be done by a different team.“The new bins are being trialed in the gardens, and we will be keeping a watching brief.“We are however concerned about the pair of bins at the entrance on aesthetic grounds, as they are in a significant heritage area. We have asked the council to consider moving them inside the entrance, to the area near the signboard.”
Cllr Andy Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling at Harrogate Borough Council, said at the time:
“Understanding when a bin needs emptying or whether it might need inspecting will enable us to make the most efficient use of our resources.
“These sensors will allow us to use the data and focus on those that need to be emptied more often.
“As a result, we’d expect to see a reduction in travel, meaning a saving on fuel costs and a reduction in carbon emissions.”