The proposed site, located immediately south of the existing salt depot on Marlborough Road in Royal Wootton Bassett, will now undergo detailed feasibility assessments before any planning application is submitted.
The new site will replace the Purton and Lower Compton HRCs, which Wiltshire announced would be closing last December.
Councillor Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste at Wiltshire Council commented on the decision: “Closing the Household Recycling Centres at Purton and Lower Compton is a difficult decision, but the high costs and essential upgrades make it unavoidable.”
Earlier this year, Wiltshire Council asked residents to suggest potential locations for the new HRC following concerns about maintaining recycling centre provision in the north of the county.
The public engagement complemented work already undertaken by council officers to identify suitable sites.
In total, 21 potential locations were assessed against a range of criteria, including site size, road access, land ownership, availability, deliverability and overall suitability for development.
Following the assessment, the Marlborough Road site was identified as the only location suitable to progress to the next stage.
According to the council, the site is already in its ownership, is large enough to accommodate a new recycling centre, has good transport access and is well positioned to serve residents who currently rely on the Purton and Lower Compton facilities.
Councillor Helen Belcher, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for assets, said: “While we have identified what seems to be a suitable location, there is still significant work to be carried out before we can confirm the site is suitable and submit a planning application.
“We will continue to work closely with Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council as we progress this important project.”
Following strong public opposition and petitions against the planned closure of the Purton and Lower Compton HRCs, Wiltshire Council reached a new agreement with Hills Waste Solutions in February 2026 to keep both sites open for a further three years while plans for a replacement facility are developed.
The remaining eight council-owned HRCs across Wiltshire continue to be operated by FCC Environment under a separate contract that runs until July 2034.
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