A YORK waste recycling centre which is under threat of closure has been granted a stay of execution.

The Beckfield Lane tip’s last day of operation was due to be tomorrow after City of York Council decided to shut it amid budget cuts.

But a special meeting of the authority has now been arranged to debate its future, after more than 2,800 people signed a petition calling for it to stay open.

The centre will now remain open until at least Wednesday, April 25 – the day after the meeting – and campaigners say they now have an opportunity to prevent its closure.

The Labour-led council has said this would save £130,000 over two years. If it shuts, the site could be sold for housing.

Council officers have described the centre as “not fit for purpose”, saying immediate basic maintenance would cost £250,000 and redeveloping it would cost about £2 million, while about £3.6 million would have to be spent on relocation.

They have also said its accessibility problems could leave the authority open to legal action under the Equalities Act.

Liberal Democrat councillor Ann Reid, who handed in the petition at a full council meeting last month, said: “This looks like being the key chance to save the site, as the closure has already been delayed and we hope to persuade Labour to make that delay permanent.

“There is a huge groundswell of opinion against closing the centre. The financial case is dubious and there are real concerns over increased fly-tipping and a fall in recycling rates.”

The petition was organised by Lib Dem campaigner Reuban Mayne, who said: “Local public opinion is strongly against the closure of the tip, and hopefully Labour will finally listen and change their mind.”

Coun Dafydd Williams, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhood services, has said the original decision to close the tip was made reluctantly, but the money required to ensure it met modern standards was not available and opening times at other waste centres would be extended.

Labour has also said the special council meeting will cost £500, and claimed opposition parties accepted Beckfield Lane would close but wanted to debate a replacement facility.