PLANS to retain the household waste site in Stratford have been submitted after years of wrangling over its future.

The plans, on public display at Stratford Library, signal the end of a long campaign by locals to keep a tip in the town after the closure of Burton Farm was first mooted.

After 39 potential new sites were examined, just one was found to be suitable - but negotiations fell through which left Warwickshire County Council no real alternative but to keep Burton Farm and make some improvements.

The household waste site was established in 1981 as part of the 40-acre landfill site situated at Burton Farm, which is near Bishopton just off the A46.

Use of the landfill site halted in 1993 and work began on restoring it for agricultural use, which is almost complete.

The lease the council held on the site, however, covered the landfill section as well as the household waste area and now the lease is almost finished the council will only be retaining a 1.25 acre section, which houses the tip.

Although the site is unlikely to see major changes in the near future, other than the erection of a 2.4 metre steel fence and a new gate for extra security, expansion plans could be in the pipeline.

"I was delighted when I saw that the council is definitely going to keep this site, it is my choice and everybody's choice," said county councillor Brian Slaughter.

"The use of an extended site at Wellesbourne was never a practical option and this is definitely the post popular choice, not just for the people of Stratford but for those in the surrounding towns and villages."