Council "preparing legal action" over Walleys Quarry landfill in Newcastle
It's over alleged breaches of an Abatement Notice
Last updated 15th Apr 2024
Newcastle-under-Lyme council says it is "preparing legal action" against a controversial landfill site.
Walleys Quarry has blighted locals in Silverdale with foul smelling fumes for some time, with the council now alleging that the owners have breached an abatement notice.
In a statement, the council say they notified Walleys Quarry Ltd yesterday that the site operator has failed to properly control emissions from the site.
The Abatement Notice came in March 2023, and obliges the operator to not create or allow statutory odour nuisance.
Simon McEneny, Interim Chief Executive of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
"Since the Abatement Notice came into effect we have been monitoring the odour in the communities near Walleys Quarry, with officers visiting people’s homes to take readings when necessary day or night.
"There is a formal process of evidence gathering for our officers to follow and that has taken time, however we now believe that the operator has failed to properly control emissions and as a consequence we are preparing to take legal action.
We have approached Walleys Quarry Limited for an updated statement. They had previously 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.”