A NEW £3m recycling centre is set to be built in Kidlington as part of a plan to transform the county’s waste recycling services.

And there are proposals to redevelop the Redbridge recycling centre, off Abingdon Road, Oxford.

County Hall said the Kidlington centre in Langford Lane would provide “a unique recycling experience”.

It is expected to be open next year, bringing the number of recycling centres across the county to nine.

The new centre would have areas for household customers partly covered from the elements. An information centre to promote recycling would be built, designed to accommodate group visits from schools.

There are also plans for a re-use store where people could pick up furniture, appliances and other unwanted items.

A facility for commercial waste would also be created on the site. The land would be leased by the county council. It is presently farmland and was formerly a grass airfield.

The council also yesterday announced plans to replace the recycling centre at Dean Pit, near Chipping Norton.

The location of the replacement site has yet to be confirmed but it will be near the existing facility.

County Hall is hoping this new facility would also be running next year, when the existing site is due to close.

Ian Hudspeth, council cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “The enhancement of the waste recycling experience and promotion of education are at the heart of the county council’s waste reduction plans.

“We want not only to provide the best recycling facilities but also to equip Oxfordshire’s citizens and young recyclers with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to make the cultural changes needed to help reduce waste in the 21st century.”

A planning application for Kidlington will be submitted to the council’s own planning department.

The new centre would create an opportunity to allow the busy Redbridge site to be finally modernised. Mr Hudspeth said: “It is not a very pleasant place to go.”