GARDENERS will have to start paying for the privilege of having their grass cuttings removed, if plans are given the green light.

Redbridge Council plans to start charging people in the borough £50 a year for garden waste collection from April 2017.

This follows a decision to stop collecting garden waste in the winter, with collections now only taking place between April and October.

Cabinet member for environment and sustainability Cllr John Howard said “immense financial pressure” is the reason behind the proposals.

He said: “Saving £2 million a year from this change would put us in a better position to protect libraries, services for the elderly, and our parks.”

The £50 a year would buy gardeners five rolls of 10 biodegradable bags on top of their waste collection service.

The final decision will be made a council committee meeting next Wednesday (December 7).

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