Council leader makes further calls for inquiry over Walleys Quarry
The Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council wants the Environment Agency's handling to be looked at
Last updated 18th Jul 2024
A council leader has made a further call for an inquiry into how the Environment Agency has handled controversy over a landfill site in Staffordshire.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, spoke after hearing residents’ complaints about odours from Walleys Quarry landfill were still coming thick and fast.
The council says it's received 338 complaints over foul smells in May, followed by 286 last month.
He says he remains concerned over the landfill site, and believes and inquiry needs to be held to learn lessons at other landfill sites in the country.
Cllr Tagg said: “The EA suspended operations at the site in March for improvement work to be carried out, that work was carried out in just a few days and it’s clear we still have the problem.
“First and foremost, we expect the Environment Agency to help our communities by solving the problem permanently.
“But the question remains as to how we still find ourselves suffering from this long-running blight. I have called before for a public inquiry into the EA’s conduct and that demand still stands – not only do Newcastle residents want answers, but we also want to learn the lessons to protect communities elsewhere.”
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.”
We have asked the Environment Agency for comment, but they have previously said they continue 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.”