Chichester Recycling Centre (Westhampnett): Booking, Opening Hours and Bulky Waste
You must book a slot before you visit the tip at Westhampnett. Here is how the booking system works, what ID to bring, which vehicles are barred and what the council charges to collect bulky items.
Where is the Chichester tip and who runs it?
The household waste recycling centre for Chichester is on Coach Road, Westhampnett, PO18 0NX. It is run on behalf of West Sussex County Council, and the county council's Chichester Recycling Centre page gives the phone number as 01243 539762. The page says the site operator under the county contract is Biffa. Chichester District Council's own recycling centres page simply points residents to the county council for sites, opening times and accepted materials.
Do I need to book a visit?
Yes, if you are arriving by vehicle. The county council's Book to Recycle page says you must book a slot to visit all West Sussex recycling centres except its mobile centres. As published there, you can:
- make up to 5 visits per calendar month
- turn up at any time within your 30 or 15 minute slot
- book up to 14 days in advance, or on the same day if a slot is free
To book you need the registration number of the vehicle you will use (the hired vehicle's number if you are hiring), your address and your email address. The page warns that you cannot change the registration on a booking, so if it is wrong you have to cancel and rebook. The booking must be made in the name of the person attending. Use the link at the top of your confirmation email to cancel a slot you no longer need, because demand is high around bank holidays.
For booking queries the county council lists 01243 642106, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. Advisers can only book slots that already show as available on the system.
On the Chichester site page, the council says you may also visit on foot, by bicycle or on a mobility scooter, and that you do not need a slot when you do.
What are the opening hours?
As published by West Sussex County Council, the Chichester centre is open 9am to 6pm every day of the week between 1 April and 30 September, and until 4pm between 1 October and 31 March. Hours can change, so check the site page before a special trip.
What ID do I need?
The county council's proof of residency page says residents must show one form of ID. It lists a current driving licence (the preferred option), a Council Tax bill from the current financial year, a gas, electric or water bill less than a year old, a TV licence less than a year old, a letter from HMRC or the Home Office less than a year old, a current bus pass, or a current disabled parking permit. Staff only look at the address and do not record it. Entry can be refused if you cannot prove you are a West Sussex council taxpayer.
Which vehicles are not allowed?
The Chichester site page says that for health and safety reasons you cannot visit with Luton type vans, horseboxes, twin axle (four wheel) trailers, trucks with tippers, flatbeds or drop-sides, or vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross weight. It adds that vehicles more than 2.2 metres high can use this centre. The terms and conditions say only household waste is accepted, the person who produced the waste must bring it or accompany it, and staff can refuse entry if they believe the waste is commercial.
What can I take?
Use the county council's A to Z of recycling, linked from its recycling centres page, to check an item before you go, including whether any charge applies. We have not listed charges here because they are set by the county council and can change. The booking page also asks visitors to keep batteries and small electricals separate from household waste to prevent fires, and to wear sensible footwear and gloves.
What if I cannot take it to the tip?
Chichester District Council offers a bulky household waste collection for large items such as sofas, beds, mattresses, fridges and cookers. As published on the bulky waste page, it costs £36 for the first item and £20 for each additional item, up to eight items per booking, and items must be outside the building but within your boundary by 6am on the day. The page also suggests donating furniture to charity shops, St Wilfrid's Hospice or Stonepillow Restore.
Why should I check a waste carrier's licence?
The council's fly-tipping page says you are legally responsible for your own waste under your duty of care. If you hire someone to take it away they must be a licensed waste carrier registered with the Environment Agency. It advises asking to see the licence, getting a waste transfer note and receipt, and noting the vehicle registration. If your waste is fly-tipped and you did not check, you could be held responsible.
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