Opposition is growing this week over planned changes to bin collections in Sherborne which have been branded “ridiculous” by one councillor.

County councillor for the Sherborne Rural division, Michael Bevan, has launched a campaign in response to the introduction of wheelie bins and fortnightly collections.

Food waste will remain as a weekly collection but general refuse, paper and bottles and other recycling will only be disposed of every other week.

Mr Bevan said: “I’ve already had support from around 85 people from all over the county for my campaign. I’ve had calls, e-mails and letters.”

He was also critical of the way the changes have been explained to residents. He said: “No one thought of consulting the community before imposing this ridiculous new collection scheme. Wheelie bins are totally unsuitable for flats and terraced cottages and are a blight on the landscape.”

“I abstained from voting on this because I did not believe the scheme was suitable for flat and terrace dwellers. There needs to be flexibility.

“When West Dorset District Council agreed the plan in January they stressed communication with the community was important.

“Engagement should have come first. They should have asked the residents what would be suitable and if they would want a weekly or fortnightly collection.”

Mr Bevan, who lives in a first-floor flat, thinks residents such as himself already experience difficulties with waste even with a weekly collection.

He said: “I already have to store my bins on the landing. It’s inconvenient.

“I can understand the council wanting to save money but they should temper this with the convenience of residents and people’s views are what matter. A good service is a weekly service.

“If people have to put their rubbish out earlier to move it out of their homes, this is not good for the environment and is not attractive.”

Sarah Greening, chairman of Sherborne Over 50s, said: “We would like to know more facts and how the plans will affect flats and small houses.”

The news comes as secretary of state for communities and local government, Eric Pickles, set aside £250m for local authorities to retain weekly collections.

Steve Burdis, director of Dorset Waste Partnership, said: “We took into account the information and the promise of money from Eric Pickles but we decided that there was insufficient money there for us.

“We believe we will make a higher saving with the new scheme environmentally and financially.

“There is an extensive consultation report displayed on the website for the whole of Dorset which actually met with extremely high support.”

All seven of Dorset’s local authorities have accepted the scheme which means the changes will affect homes countywide. Collections in Sherborne and surrounding villages are due to change from 2014.

Mr Burdis said plans were in place to communicate the changes to residents and alternatives would be provided for homes where wheelie bins are not practical.

He said: “Of course, if a house has no outside space then they won’t be able to have a wheelie bin and would have bin bags.”