MP hits back at councillor's criticism over Glossop tip

Residents are being urged to have their say, after Derbyshire County Council launched a public consultation on the future of the Glossop Household Waste Recycling Centre last week.

The consultation sets out proposals that could see the site close, alongside a range of alternative cost-saving measures. The council says these options are being considered as it works to address financial pressures and set a legally required balanced budget.

Closing the Glossop site would save the authority around £360,000 per year, largely through fixed operating costs which remain the same regardless of how much the facility is used. 

Reasons for proposed closure 

The council says the site is being considered for closure due to its relatively low usage and cost. It handles around 3,800 tonnes of waste each year - the lowest of Derbyshire’s recycling centres - with approximately 65,700 visits annually. Around 13% of visits are reported by the council to come from outside the county. 

For those who are not online, paper copies can be printed from the website for family and friends, collected from any Derbyshire library, or requested by post by calling 01629 533190. Completed forms can be returned using the Freepost address provided.

All responses will be reviewed after the closing date, with a report expected to be presented to the council’s cabinet in autumn 2026. A final decision is anticipated later that year.

Call for residents to respond 

Since the consultation went live, Conservative Councillor Adie Hopkinson has been speaking to residents across Glossop and distributing leaflets he has produced to encourage participation.

He said many of the people he has spoken to believe they do not need to respond to the consultation because they have already signed a petition launched earlier in the year by High Peak MP Jon Pearce - something he says has led to confusion.

“A significant number of residents have told me they’re not taking part in the consultation because they’ve already signed the MP’s petition, and that’s really concerning. However well-intentioned, that petition doesn’t form any part of Derbyshire County Council’s formal decision-making process.

“It risks creating confusion and could mean people miss the opportunity to have their views properly considered. The only way to ensure your voice is heard and counted in this process is by completing the official consultation.

“Now the consultation is live, I’m disappointed to still see the MP encouraging residents to sign his petition. If you do one thing, please make sure it is to take part in the official consultation - not something that carries no weight in this decision-making process.”

The Glossop Chronicle contacted Jon Pearce for his response. He said:

"Cllr Hopkinson is once again demonstrating just how irrelevant the Conservatives have become locally. Instead of standing up to Reform for trying to close Glossop Tip, they are attacking my campaign that has the backing of thousands of local people.

"As everyone knows, Labour councillors and I have been leading the campaign to save Glossop tip from day one because we understand just how important the tip is for local residents across Glossopdale and the wider High Peak.

"Reform tried to justify closing the tip using dodgy data - suggesting most users were from outside Derbyshire. We challenged that nonsense and exposed it for what it was.

"Now they’ve finally launched a consultation. But that consultation is a sham because they have already earmarked the cuts from closing Glossop tip in their budget and people will see when they complete the consultation that it is designed so they can produce more dodgy data to justify their decision. Mark my words, questions like “Can you recycle your waste elsewhere” will be used to say people have said they don’t rely on the tip.

"That is why I am asking people who support my campaign to save Glossop tip to do ALL three things:

1. Register their vehicles with Derbyshire County Council so Reform cannot continue pretending local people do not use the site;

2. Complete the official DCC consultation before it closes on 23 July but don’t fall for their dodgy questions; and

3. Continue to sign my petition. Over 4,000 people already have. Reform can rig the results of their consultation, but they can’t hide from my petition, which clearly shows the overwhelming views of local people against closing the tip.

"The Conservatives had years running Derbyshire County Council and failed to secure the long-term future of Glossop tip. Reform wants to close it. Only Labour is leading the fight to save it."

Click here to take part in the Public Consultation.