Uncertainty remains over landfill site's future

The landfill site in Silverdale, Staffordshire, has been the subject of complaints for years

Uncertainty still surrounds the long-term future of a controversial landfill site, council leaders have been told.

Walleys Quarry, in Silverdale, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, has been managed by the Environment Agency (EA) since the collapse of former operator Walleys Quarry Ltd at the start of this year.

Local residents and community leaders have been calling for the site to be permanently capped to ensure gas emissions that have plagued the area for years do not return.

At a meeting this week, cabinet members heard there had still been no confirmation that the government will pay for restoration of the site, with the cost likely to run into the millions of pounds.

The EA has been using a bond previously secured from Walleys Quarry Ltd to fund work aimed at removing the immediate risk of serious pollution.

In a letter to the borough council, EA chief executive Philip Duffy explained that this funding was "limited" and that the agency's powers did not extend to site restoration.

He said work to develop a long-term plan for the site, including funding arrangements, had begun.

He added that compliance with the site's planning permission was a matter for Staffordshire County Council, as the waste planning authority.

'Long-term restoration'

"We understand, and are committed to, raising the need for funding with government, and ensuring that the costs associated with restoration of the site are fully understood," he said in his letter.

"Nonetheless, we will continue to arrange for steps to be taken to remove risks of serious pollution under our discretionary powers as discussions about funding proceed."

Cabinet members asked for further assurances that local taxpayers in Newcastle would not have to foot the bill for the restoration work.

Chief executive Gordon Mole said the authority was working with partner agencies on resolving the issues in the long-term.

Odour problems have fallen dramatically since the start of the year, with hydrogen sulphide gas emissions remaining below "annoyance" levels throughout the summer.

Council leader Simon Tagg said he believed that while the current situation was positive, the government needed to confirm it would fund the long-term restoration of the site.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.