Residents call for 'smelly' landfill to close

Residents are calling for the landfill to be closed down due to a smell

People living close to a landfill site say a stench is preventing them from hanging out their washing.

Residents have called on the Environment Agency to close Seaton Meadows Landfill (SMLF), in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, claiming the smell heavily impacts on their daily lives.

The Environment Agency has sent out an inspector after increased reports of odours, however a source has not been identified and investigations continue.

Kevin Lancaster, site manager for SMLF, apologised for any disturbance and said it was "constantly improving, going above and beyond".

A Seaton Carew resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described how badly the "stench and dust" affected him and his family.

"We have lived in town almost all of my life and now it is just becoming unacceptable," he said.

"We can't hang our washing out on warm days due to the smell tainting freshly washed clothes."

Some told BBC Tees the smell was "like the bottom of a dustbin", while others likened it to "damp, wet shoes".

'Open and transparent'

Local MP Jonathan Brash called it a "blight on Hartlepool" and said he wanted the site shut down.

"The current permits will expire once the final cell is full," he said.

"I've made it crystal clear to the Environment Agency - no more extensions."

He urged residents to "keep reporting foul smells".

SMLF stated the site was an industrial area and the source of the smell was previously found not to be the landfill site.

Mr Lancaster added: "We are getting a lot of areas up to finished level for completion.

"We do our utmost to be as open and transparent with the residents, we are constantly improving going above and beyond."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said its officers have been investigating recent reports of odours in the Seaton Carew area.

"A source has not been identified but our enquiries are ongoing," they said.