Walleys Quarry inquiry 'extremely successful' says chair

Organisations responsible for regulating Walleys Quarry and advising on the health effects of odour emissions from the landfill have given evidence in public about their work.

A special scrutiny committee of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council questioned representatives of the Environment Agency and the UK Health Security Agency about the site, as well as hearing from a Silverdale GP and Newcastle MP Adam Jogee.

Chair of the inquiry Councillor Robert Bettley-Smith told Hits Radio News: "I think it's actually been really successful if honest.

"I'm just amazed at the wealth and depth of evidence, I mean you could always think some questions might have been answered differently and so forth - but we have called for additional information and I'm highly satisfied with the process."

It was the second and final day of public hearings gauging the impact of the continuing issue, asking what are the next steps to solve the problem, and considering whether opportunities to resolve the issue have been missed.

This meeting followed the first back in July which heard testimony from community groups, Silverdale parish council and a local GP.

Also giving evidence that day were Simon Tagg, the Leader of Newcastle-under-Borough Council; planning and public health representatives from Staffordshire County Council; and Aaron Bell, who served as the Borough’s MP from 2019 to this year

Simon Tagg said: “Given the hundreds of complaints we are receiving each month, it’s clear that foul gas odours continue to emerge from the site – and that remains the responsibility of the operator.

“However, there is also bewilderment, frustration and anger in the community that the main regulator, the Environment Agency, appears unable to stop this problem.”

He added: “The recent fire has exacerbated long-standing concerns about the health implications of living near the site and it was crucial to hear the latest from the UKHSA.”

Now the cross-party scrutiny committee will prepare a report based on the evidence and written submissions and present recommendations to the Borough Council’s Cabinet and Full Council.

The sessions have focussed on:

• the impact of the continuing issue;

• next steps, and by whom, to bring about resolution;

• whether there have been missed opportunities to resolve the issue.

Links to the first inquiry meeting were recorded uploaded on YouTube: here:

Morning session: https://youtu.be/2U-NgyUDb0I

Afternoon session: https://youtu.be/spkUsy6PxVk

Evening session: https://youtu.be/EmBq6kelNNs

The final meeting was recorded and uploaded on YouTube in two parts here:

https://youtu.be/fVmKgkEWpFc and https://youtu.be/vQ6FWK4RRRM.

We've reached out to Walleys Quarry Ltd for a statement. Previously they've said they're committed to safe, clean and sustainable operations at the site.

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