THREE councillors have called for a rethink on a controversial policy for collecting rubbish from isolated rural properties.

Hambleton District councillors David Webster, John Prest and John Coulson want waste collections from the homes of more than 900 farmers and country dwellers to be reinstated.

In the past, the council has not followed its own policy, which states that rubbish will be collected from isolated properties where there are three or more houses, if there is vehicle access.

Where there are less than three houses, or where access is unsuitable, residents must put rubbish at the lane end for collection.

Earlier this year, council officers decided to tighten up on their collections policy and it was rubber stamped by the cabinet on September 14.

But councillors Webster, Prest and Coulson say it discriminates against occupants of isolated properties and have recalled the decision for further debate. The policy will now be discussed by the environment and economy overview and scrutiny committee on October 7.

The committee can choose to either accept the original decision or refer it back to the cabinet.

Coun Prest said: "We just want things to go back to how they were.

"This is the one service that these people get from the council. They are paying good rates of council tax and so they do feel they are entitled to this service.

"Where the lanes are adequate and the rubbish has been picked up before, I can see no reason why it is not picked up now."

Council officers say it would be too expensive to offer home collections to all 973 properties affected, putting the total cost at an extra £230,000.

Director of planning and environmental services Steve Quartermain said: "A change of policy whereby the remaining 973 lane end properties, where feasible, are given an edge of curtilage collection may be welcomed by some of these customers, but a large proportion do not want refuse collection vehicles on their land.

"Any damage caused to council vehicles as a result of travelling along unsuitable surfaces will increase the repair bill and could pose a potential risk of an accident."