SIX of the seven Suffolk waste recycling sites scheduled for closure next month have been given a reprieve until the end of July at the earliest.

Sites at Bramford, Brome, Chelmondiston, Southwold, Newmarket and Beccles will now remain open until at least July 31.

The site at Ingham will close as proposed on May 9 because its planning permission is about to run out.

The decision was taken after the county was deluged by 8,000 letters and opinions from Suffolk residents, district and parish councils giving their views on the proposals.

A total of 2,000 people have attended public meetings.

Lisa Chambers, Portfolio Holder for Waste, said; “We have made this decision in direct response to the views of Suffolk residents.

“I have personally attended 14 community meetings and the feedback has been very clear. People are telling me they are very willing to look at paying for the service rather than lose their site and would like more time to come up with new ways of working.

“District, parish and town councils have also asked for more time to look at alternative funding opportunities.

“I believe it is important that we listen to feedback from communities and when possible act on that feedback. In this case that is what we have done.”

Opposition environment spokesman John Field has the Bramford site in his own division.

He said: “This is the best news we have had from the council for a long time. It shows that they have finally listened to what people are saying and will give local people the chance to come up with alternative proposals.”

His colleague David Wood has been leading the campaign to save the Chelmondiston site and welcomed the news.

He said: “I am delighted to hear this news and I hope that it will lead to a total re-think of the policy.”