Newcastle-under-Lyme Council’s Legal Fund for Landfill Case to Reach £1 Million

The legal fund established by a council to pursue action against the company operating a malodorous landfill site in Staffordshire is projected to increase to £1 million. Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is currently pursuing legal measures against the company responsible for Walleys Quarry in Silverdale, citing alleged violations of an abatement notice that mandates the operator to manage odour issues. Initially, the authority allocated £600,000 for litigation against Walleys Quarry Ltd; however, councillors are scheduled to consider and potentially approve an additional £400,000 next week. Walleys Quarry Ltd stated its dedication to managing the landfill in a way that reduces its effect on local residents. Data previously released by the council indicated that complaints concerning the site have been more numerous in six of the eight months recorded this year compared to the corresponding period last year. In October, the authority registered 290 complaints regarding Walleys Quarry, marking the highest monthly total for October in the past four years. Council leader Simon Tagg commented: “The council is committed to bringing this legal action against the site operator on behalf of residents and to provide officers with the resources they need.” He further explained that council members lack the authority to influence legal proceedings, as this falls under the purview of council officers, although they have supported the measures implemented to date. This proposal to augment the legal fund emerges concurrently with the council confronting a £1.4 million budget deficit for the upcoming year. The additional £400,000 is intended to be drawn from the general fund reserve and the budget and borrowing support fund. A decision on whether to approve the expanded funding will be made by councillors at a full council meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Walleys Quarry Ltd stated it is “stringently regulated by the Environment Agency” and performs a “vital role in offering residual waste disposal supporting wider recycling services”. The company further added: “We recognise the impact that odours can have for local residents, and the team is focused on managing the site to minimise impacts to the community around the site and we will continue to do so.” This report was compiled by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which provides coverage of councils and other public service entities. For further updates, follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.