QUESTIONMARKS hang over the future of a Llangadog waste and recycling centre, after Carmarthenshire County Council decided not to renew its contract this April.

Hefin Roberts, owner of All Waste Services at The Old Sawmills, says the local authority’s decision has placed the entire business in jeopardy and may lead to the loss of up to 10 jobs.

He also says its closure would severely inconvenience customers living in the north of the county who would have to travel to Wernddu (Ammanford), or Nantycaws (Carmarthen) to dispose of their recycling or household waste.

“This centre had served a huge area since it was set up in 2002,” he told the Guardian. “Apart from the threat to our business, the council’s decision is unfair on people from the surrounding area who have supported us for more than a decade.

“In my view, the council has taken the easy way out by not renewing the contract. This cen - tre is the only one in the north of Carmarthenshire – it would make more sense to close the centre at Whitland, which has others close by and is also used by people coming across the border from Pembrokeshire.

“The civic amenity site is a major part of our business – at the moment we employ a staff of ten, but that would go down to just one or two if the centre closes. It just doesn’t add up, because so many people use it.

“We have drawn up a petition which has been signed by hundreds of people, but things don’t look too good at the moment.”

Mr Roberts predicted that closure of the facility would lead to more flytipping in forestry and more traffic because of increased travelling distances to other facilities.

“The fact of the matter is that modern homes create waste – and that has to be got rid of,” he said.

Local county councillor Andrew James said he was “disappointed” with the council’s proposal and added that meetings were being held to identify alternative options.

Cllr James is arranging two meetings, to be held at Llangadog Community Centre at 2pm and at 7pm tomorrow (Thursday), when he and Mr Roberts will extend a warm welcome to residents who use and support the recycling centre.

A council spokesman said: “The authority’s contract with the waste company comes to an end on March 31.

“There has been an initial meeting with the owner and further meetings are planned."