Robust action' needed over 'unacceptable' Telford landfill smell - MP

Issues surrounding the odour from the Granville Woodhouse Landfill site at Redhill have reared their head again in recent weeks, with residents complaining of an increase in problems related to the smell.

The smell has been an issue for residents in the Priorslee area of Telford for some time - with the Environment Agency stepping in last year to order a succession of work intended to tackle the problem.

Earlier this week Priorslee Councillor Paul Thomas, spoke at a Telford & Wrekin scrutiny meeting calling for the site to be declared a 'statutory nuisance' and closed.

He has since confirmed that a meeting between Telford & Wrekin Council and the Environment Agency over the issue will take place next month.

Telford's MP, Shaun Davies said 'no action should be off the table' to get the problems resolved.

He said: "The issue residents, businesses and schools amongst other places are suffering as a result of the smell is unacceptable.

"That is why I am putting pressure on the Environment Agency, the lead agency, to take robust action with the operator.

"The operator must continue to co-operate and the Environment Agency and council must take no action off the table to get this matter resolved.

"In order to secure further action it is critical concerns are reported to the Environment Agency directly.

"Residents can also contact me shaun.davies.mp@parliament.uk and I'll stand up for them and our community."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said it appreciated the impact of the issue on residents.

Telford & Wrekin Council said monitoring had taken place at the site, but that levels of hydrogen sulphide were well below the threshold for health concerns.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We understand the impact odours have on the community and are sorry to hear that residents have been experiencing problems with odour in the local area.

“We are working with the operator, Potters (Midlands) Ltd, to resolve these issues and are closely monitoring progress.

“Please report any environmental incidents, including odour complaints, to our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060.”

A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman said: “Following complaints to Telford & Wrekin Council about unpleasant odours from Redhill Landfill Site at Granville, the council has been working closely with the site operators and the Environment Agency who are the regulatory body that issues permits for landfill, to ensure compliance with that permit.

“The Environment Agency has developed an action plan in agreement with the site operator to improve gas and odour control, and continues to work through these actions. Much of this work has now been completed, with more works planned.

“Telford & Wrekin Council has also been carrying out independent environmental monitoring for hydrogen sulphide (HS2), which is the cause of the reported odour. Throughout the three-month monitoring period, HS2 levels were well below UKHSA’s threshold for health concerns.

“The Environment Agency will continue to monitor odours, track progress against the agreed action plan and review the operator’s management plan to ensure work continues in accordance with its permit.

“Any concerns over these odours should be reported to the EA so that they can continue to monitor odour incidents via their 24-hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60."