Walleys Quarry handed suspension notice
The operator must immediately stop disposing of waste that's causing smelly emissions
Last updated 15th Apr 2024
A controversial landfill site in Newcastle has been handed a suspension notice from the Environment Agency.
Walley's Quarry in Silverdale's been blighting locals with foul smelling fumes.
Officials have now ordered the company to immediately stop disposing any more waste that emits hydrogen sulphide, which is responsible for the stink.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said conditions have been unacceptable:
“We recognise there have been recent unacceptable increases in hydrogen sulphide emissions around Walleys Quarry, and in odour reports from local residents. We have every sympathy with the local community and remain committed to maintaining long-term improvements in emissions from the site.
“On Friday 1 March 2024 the Environment Agency issued a Regulation 37 Suspension Notice to Walleys Quarry Ltd (WQL), which requires the company to take immediate action to remove the risk of serious pollution, namely fugitive emissions of landfill gas to the air causing significant and widespread offence to human senses due to odour.
“The Suspension Notice requires WQL to immediately stop the acceptance and disposal of waste, except for inert wastes which do not contribute to the odour. The Suspension Notice also requires WQL to install additional gas extraction infrastructure in a key part of the operational area of the site by 17 March 2024; to connect it so that it extracts gas by 24 March 2024; and to install additional temporary capping (using either compacted clay or geomembrane) in two other operational areas, by 24 March 2024.
“The purpose of this work is to reduce as quickly as possible fugitive emissions of landfill gas from these areas of the site and the impact experienced by the community. We are keeping WQL’s response and all of our regulatory options under review.”
Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Aaron Bell says he's "extremely pleased" with the news:
"This means the operator has to immediately stop the acceptance and disposal of waste, except for inert wastes which do not contribute to the odour, until they are fully compliant with a wide range of enforcement demands.
"I was grateful to have a call earlier today with the EA and the Waste Minister, Robbie Moore MP, to fully brief me on the process just ahead of the announcement.
"I think we can all agree that this action should have been taken long ago. The EA allowed Red Industries (as they were then) to get away with a farcical voluntary suspension of the permit back in 2021 when the odour was at its absolute worst.
"Allowing Red to call the shots was deeply embarrassing for the EA, and left the community's trust shattered that the regulator was prepared to use the powers at its disposal.
"But through a change in EA leadership, both locally and nationally, we are seeing some of the steps I have been calling for put into place at long last.
"I have met with Phil Duffy, the new Chief Executive of the EA, multiple times in recent months and he has clearly challenged the culture at the EA. I have been hugely impressed by Phil's engagement with me and have been struck by his sincere commitment to doing the right thing by our community.
"Finally this rogue operator are seeing the consequences of their actions, and the EA have stepped up their enforcement action to something approaching the scale of the problem.
"However, this suspension falls short of the full closure notice I and the community have been calling for. The EA has acknowledged this. They have reiterated that a closure notice will only sustain legal challenge if they can demonstrate that they have exhausted all other enforcement and regulatory options first. They have confirmed that they will continue to assess the situation.
"Suspension is a positive step but it does not go far enough. I still believe a permanent closure notice is the best outcome for the local community, and will continue to urge the EA to move to that position over the coming weeks. If the operator continue to rack up further breaches in their management of the site (even while not accepting waste) they must be punished with a closure notice.
"I know this news will come as a huge relief to many members of the community, as it does for me.
"This is the culmination of years of campaigning from myself, my team of staff (past and present), local councillors such as Simon Tagg, and most importantly the whole Stop the Stink community. The tireless efforts of hundreds of campaigners - too many to name here - to keep Walley’s on the agenda has finally forced the EA to act.
"I would like to pay particular tribute to all of those from the local community who have spent countless hours of their own time reporting odour to the EA, managing Facebook groups, peacefully protesting, keeping the pressure on, and perhaps more importantly, keeping each other going.
"There has been a huge amount of work behind the scenes from so many individuals who have given their time, care and attention on behalf of a whole community of tens of thousands. They all deserve the community's gratitude, and I am personally enormously grateful to all those who have given their own free time to this campaign.
"Vitally though, 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 today without the common purpose of the community.
"Even where there have been disagreements about tactics, campaigning methods, and even party politics, there has always been an admirable sense of solidarity and common purpose in those I have spoken to about Walley's.
"Today is everyone's victory."
The landfill operator says it remains committed to their end goal and to working constructively with the Environment Agency.
A spokesperson from Walleys Quarry Ltd said: “We are committed to continuing our progress; working with our neighbours to provide a clean, healthy and sustainable operation for our community. In time Walleys Quarry Ltd. will cease to operate as a landfill and restoration will be completed.”
The Environment Agency says it continues to robustly regulate Walleys Quarry Ltd and remains committed to long-term improvements in emissions. A spokesperson said: “We have every sympathy with the local community and we continue to carry out announced and unannounced site inspections. If we identify permit non-compliances, we inform Walleys Quarry Ltd and require the company to take remedial action.”
What is hydrogen sulphide?
Landfill gases contain hydrogen sulphide. It’s a colourless, flammable gas which has a distinct odour of rotten eggs. It is considered toxic.
Risk to health
The UK Health Security Agency says it’s aware that some people are experiencing short-term health effects associated with emissions from Walleys Quarry and that the risk of long-term health problems is likely to be small but cannot be excluded.
It states that symptoms like headaches, nausea, watery eyes, stuffy nose, coughs, and stress are more likely when the odours exceed the WHO annoyance level.
Additional mental health support has also been made available to help people experiencing emotional distress.
Jennie Collier, Managing Director at the Midlands Partner Foundation NHS Trust said: “People living in the area around Walleys Quarry who contact the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Wellbeing Service are reporting the odour from the site is having a detrimental impact on their mental health. This has manifested itself as depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disorders and other issues.”
You can access this dedicated mental health support by calling 0300 303 0923 or visiting www.staffsandstokewellbeing.nhs.uk. Alternatively you can text SHOUT to 85258, speak to Samaritans on 116123 or calls North Staffs Mind on 01782 262100.