The issue of odour from this landfill site is one which I take very seriously - it has always been my top local priority. Indeed, I was asked about the landfill at my selection meeting by Derrick Huckfield and it has been on my agenda since then. Since being elected in December 2019, I have held many meetings with local campaigners, the Environment Agency, and Red Industries Limited in an attempt to find a solution.
Clearly, this is affecting the quality of life of a number of my constituents, and the situation is not fair or right.
I have met with Government on this issue, including the Prime Minister on multiple occasions. In Parliament I have held an Adjournment debate on the landfill and I have brought forward a 10 Minute Rule Bill on regulating odorous emissions from landfills. In February, I secured a debate in Westminster Hall on criminality within and regulation of the waste industry. A major focus of my contribution was on Walley’s Quarry landfill. You can watch it here: https://tinyurl.com/Waste-Industry-Debate. In March I raised the landfill once again in Parliament, at question time for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). You can watch my question here: https://tinyurl.com/DEFRA-Questions.
I welcome the news that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have served a Statutory Nuisance Abatement Notice on Walley’s Quarry which requires them to abate the statutory nuisance created from the foul odour that has been affecting communities’ health and wellbeing for many months. It is a scandal that the gases have been persisting for so long.
I will continue to push this issue through all relevant channels until we can live stink free. I will also continue to press for those responsible to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
