CANVEY will become a magnet for flytippers under controversial new recycling proposals, islanders claim.

The tip, in Canvey Road, will be banned from accepting DIY and construction waste from Monday, October 31.

Soil, hardcore, plasterboard, heavy ceramics, and dismantled fitted bathrooms and kitchens will no longer be accepted.

Vans, tippers, pick-up trucks or towed trailers – which could be classed as trade vehicles – will be turned away.

Residents have urged Essex County Council to go back to the drawing board, fearing the plans will result in more waste being illegally dumped.

Kate-Louise High, 21, used Canvey tip to remove DIY waste from her new home in Sydervelt Road.

She said: “I only just found out about the plans, and I am happy I managed to get rid of things before the changes come in.

“The purpose of the tip is to get rid of waste that you can’t put out in your bins, otherwise what is the point in them?

“I had to take a large amount today, and my nearest tip that will accept similar rubbish in the future is in Pitsea.

“Having to go back and forth with DIY stuff would take such a long time, and Canvey needs one of its own.”

Pitsea tip will continue to take DIY and construction waste, but restrictions will be put on the amount of visits residents can make.

Under the plans, recycling centres in Rayleigh and South Woodham Ferrers will only be able to accept “waste materials from householders.”

The flytipping fears come after a huge pile of household rubbish was dumped in Northwick Road at the weekend.

In August tree branches were dumped in Roscommon Way.

Brian Mabe, 77, said: “It doesn’t make sense at all. The council likes to do its bit for the environment, but all that’s going to happen is there will be more pollution.

“It will come from people having to travel four times further to get to Pitsea and use more fuel.

“The flytipping will get worse and worse, people just won’t travel there to get rid of their waste.”

Essex County Council has drawn up the proposals in a bid to stop trade waste being illegally left at tips.

A spokesman said: “There has been no evidence that changing the nature of the recycling centre service leads to an increase in criminal behaviour.”