A council has been criticised for setting aside £2.2 million to buy a waste depot.

The fund was made public in documents outlining possible future spending by Harborough District Council.

It has been earmarked to buy the depot in Welham Lane, Great Bowden.

The site has been rented since October 2009, when waste contractor Focsa moved its fleet of nearly 90 vehicles there.

However, the Liberal Democrat opposition group said: "Why spend money buying this land when the money could be used to better effect, especially at a time when there is such uncertainty over future methods of waste collection?"

The council wants to save between £3 million and £6 million over the next five years.

The Conservative-controlled authority has said it was considering making some senior officers redundant, sharing services with other councils and reviewing waste and recycling.

The Liberal Democrats said the £2.2 million could pay for refurbishing the council offices and allow a rethink on proposals to close Market Harborough's market hall.

Tim Banks, vice-chairman of Great Bowden Parish Council, said: "It seems an awful lot of money to spend on the site."

A council spokesman said."No decision has been made to purchase the site. The £2 million is simply an earmarked reserve, in accordance with proper accounting practice."