Residents call for landfill's full closure

The suspension came after years of protest and complaints

People living near a stinking landfill site say the site should be shut down altogether, rather than just suspending new deliveries of waste.

The Environment Agency (EA) issued a suspension notice on Friday to Walleys Quarry in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, after years of complaints about the smell.

However, residents and politicians say the order does not go far enough.

Walleys Quarry Limited (WQL) described the suspension as "unnecessary and entirely inappropriate".

Reacting to the suspension, resident Ron Cartwright said he wanted the landfill closed entirely, and said people have "had enough".

Carol Cadman backed those calls, and said she wanted to see "action not words".

“I don’t know how defiant they are or whatever, but let’s hope they do take note.

“Let’s hope they get it sorted quicker rather than later.”

She added: “They’re not really taking heed of what people are saying, unless they’re made to do something. That’s how I feel anyway.”

She said: “We’ve had enough to put up with one way or another, round here.”

Anne Marie Watt said the smells are particularly bad during cold weather.

She said: “Some days it can be like a horrible, dirty nappy smell; today it was sulphur; last week it was like a really, really sour smell – that would suggest different stuff is being dumped on different days.”

Conservative MP Aaron Bell said: “The whole community of Newcastle-under-Lyme has come together against this landfill, and I am sure that the EA would not have been in a position to make this important step without the common purpose of the community.”

The Conservative leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Simon Tagg, said he had been raising the issue since 2012 and said he was hopeful that the suspension was the first step towards the full closure and restoration of the site.

Residents have been complaining about the smell from Walleys Quarry for several years

'A disgrace'

Labour politicians have also spoken out over the issue – including parliamentary candidate Adam Jogee.

He said: “The situation at Walleys Quarry is a disgrace and has had a huge impact on our community.

“I stand with all residents and my local Labour colleagues on the council in demanding an end to this environmental nightmare.

“The government must take responsibility and ensure that the operator is held accountable - and fast.”

Borough council opposition group leader, Dave Jones, welcomed the Environment Agency’s decision to suspend the landfill operator’s licence.

“This suspension is a victory for the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme. We will not rest until the blight caused by Walleys Quarry is rectified,” he said.

Walleys Quarry said the suspension was "self-serving in terms of seeking to justify the extreme scrutiny under which the Agency has placed Walleys Quarry over the past years".

Bosses said there was extensive work underway involving gas infrastructure and capping at the site, with this already in progress prior to the EA notice being issued.

“Walleys Quarry will be working to the withdrawal of this pointless notice in the minimum timeframe possible as it continues as a responsible business to take all necessary safe and sustainable steps to ensure the eventual completion of the site," the spokesperson said.