Nottinghamshire County Council has agreed a policy so residents can have permits to take set amounts of construction waste to household waste recycling centres in trailers and vans from January.

Currently, DIY waste is only accepted if residents take it in cars –– but this has led to complaints from people whose only transport is a van.

The move also aims to limit the number of visitors to the recycling centres from outside the county, who make up around a quarter of users — as only Nottinghamshire residents will be granted permits.

Said Chris Baron, cabinet member for environment and sustainability: "This is good news for householders who are carrying out minor home improvements where they want to dispose of small amounts of waste such as rubble, fencing, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom fittings, which don't warrant hiring a skip.

"Although DIY waste is not classed as household waste and the council is not obliged to arrange for its disposal, we found that the way we currently operate does frustrate people who don't see any real difference between the two.

"I am pleased with the announcement which is a clear demonstration of where local people have told the county council what they think and we've listened and found a solution."

Permits for those with vans or trailers will be issued through the authority's customer services centre from next month but trade waste will not be allowed and CCTV will be brought in to prevent misuse.

Those who use a car to dispose of their waste will not need permits but a limit to the amount of construction waste which can be taken per visit will be set.