Landfill site seagulls a 'menace' to nearby homes

Residents say the site's stench stays in their home

Residents living near a landfill site say the waste attracts huge numbers of seagulls that are bombarding homes, businesses, cars and people with bird poo and food waste.

More than 700 people have signed an online petition asking for the landfill site operators to stop the "menace" of an estimated 5,000 gulls gathering at the Whinney Hill site, Accrington.

Petition organiser, resident Gary Hough, said: "When you have around 5,000 above your homes they are going to be dropping mess. Not only that, they drop food waste as well."

Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd, which runs the site, says it operates in accordance with regulations and regularly works with the community to address concerns.

Mr Hough said residents wanted Lancashire County Council to halt activities at the site. The council has been approached for a comment.

He added the numbers of birds had risen from a few hundred in October 2023 to an estimated 5,000 at the turn of the year.

"It's a huge problem, not only for our estate but also for the local community," he said.

Mr Hough added: "It has probably got worse since the waste on the tip has been moving closer to homes."

Mr Hough said he had even resorted to putting a gazebo over his washing while it dried on the washing line.

Residents also say foul smells from the landfill are getting into houses, even with doors and windows shut.

Gary Hough says the seagulls are a huge problem

Richard Phillips, landfill operations manager at Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd, said: "It is simply unfair and untrue to state that the site is creating hazardous conditions.

"We are a responsible operator, and we strive to be a good neighbour.

"We keep our operations under constant review, and we will continue to take advice from experts, such as Natural England, to minimise any potential impact on our neighbours."

The Environment Agency, which has a responsibility to monitor sites, said it was "taking action to ensure the operator, Suez, addresses issues at Whinney Hill landfill site and recognise the distress the odour and gulls are causing to members of the community".