Council gets go-ahead for landfill legal case

Walleys Quarry landfill in Silverdale has been the subject of complaints about odour issues from neighbours for a number of years

A council has been given permission to proceed with legal action against a landfill site operator for alleged failure to properly control gas emissions.

Bosses at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council believe Walleys Quarry Ltd has breached the conditions of a statutory nuisance abatement notice which was served in August 2021.

Walleys Quarry Ltd initially contested the action, but dropped its appeal following mediation and the abatement notice became enforceable in March 2023.

The landfill operator has been contacted for a comment.

Although the borough council had begun preparing a legal case, it required permission from the environment secretary to proceed with its prosecution.

In a letter sent to council leader Simon Tagg, Environment Secretary Steve Reed said he had considered the council’s case and was happy to grant the necessary permission.

“I am keen to see a resolution to the problems around the site and know that the Environment Agency are continuing their work in relation to the site to this end,” he said.

Mr Reed added: “I visited Newcastle-under-Lyme in January this year, meeting local residents affected by the odour, and subsequently wrote to my predecessor at Defra about this situation.”

Under its agreement with the council, Walleys Quarry Ltd must control odour problems by “the best practicable means” and publicise information about what it is doing at the site in Silverdale.

People living near the quarry have lodged high numbers of complaints for a number of years over smells coming from the site.

A council-led inquiry into the landfill got underway last week to hear public testimony from community groups, Silverdale Parish Council and a local GP.

Also giving evidence were Mr Tagg, as well as planning and health officials from Staffordshire County Council and the former MP Aaron Bell.

The BBC has contacted Walleys Quarry Ltd for a response.