The latest government minister to visit Walleys Quarry says 'all options are on the table' – following renewed calls to shut the landfill site down.

Waste minister Robbie Moore spoke with Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Aaron Bell and local residents about the increasing odour problems experienced in recent months, and admitted that 'we're nowhere near where we need to be'.

Last week Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council passed a motion calling on the Environment Agency to issue a closure notice to permanently close the Silverdale landfill, while around 5,000 people have signed a petition, run by Mr Bell, calling for the same thing.

The long-standing issues at Walleys Quarry appeared to be improving a year ago, but this winter has seen a resurgence of odour complaints and detected levels of hydrogen sulphide gas.

Mr Moore, who is the latest in a series of national politicians to visit Walleys Quarry, said a closure notice could be a way forward, but added that there also had to be a plan for the site's management after its closure.

But Walleys Quarry Ltd, the site's operator, says it is 'disappointed' that Mr Moore turned down an invitation to come onto the landfill site itself, during his visit to the area.

Waste minister, Robbie Moore, said a closure notice could be a way forward (Image supplied).

Mr Moore said: "We are looking at all options, nothing is off the table. We want to make sure we are dealing with the issue, not only in relation to the horrendous smell, but in terms of getting the site capped.

"I'm incredibly aware of how bad the problem was back in 2021. I'm also conscious that things did improve but that we're not in a good state at the moment, which is why I have been keen to engage with as many residents as possible, and go out to the site as well. There has been progress, but we're nowhere near where we need to be.

"I'm aware that there was a council meeting last week, there's a petition being run by Aaron Bell. What we need to consider as a government, and what the Environment Agency also needs to consider is, if a closure notice is put in place, what are the next steps. That all has to be worked through and explored. That's for the agency to do, but as minister it is right that I hold them to account.

"I feel for everyone who has been affected. It's having an impact on people's mental health and wellbeing, and it's also having negative implications for the local economy."

Mr Bell believes that, despite the worsening odour problems, the Environment Agency is now better placed to deal with the issue, meaning a closure notice is more of a possibility than it was in the past.

He said: "Things had been getting better, but they started to pick up again in October, November. Why are things different now, why are we not back to where we were? The Environment Agency has fresh leadership, both locally and a new chief executive, who I think understands the issues better. We've got a minister in Robbie who understands the issue as well. The Environment Agency themselves have opened the door to a closure notice, by saying they no longer believe the company is working towards compliance."

Mr Bell added that there was an 'active question' on how the site would be managed if it was closed down, which the council, government, Environment Agency and himself were all looking at. Gas emissions from decomposing waste are likely to continue for many years.

This winter has seen a resurgence of odour complains at Walleys Quarry (Google).

He said: "I would be completely unacceptable if any of the costs of that fell on local residents, and I will be speaking to the Treasury about that. If there are costs, ideally as much as possible will be recovered from the operator, but the Environment Agency themselves would need to stump up as well."

A spokesperson for Walleys Quarry Ltd described Mr Moore's decision to visit Newcastle without coming to the landfill site itself as 'incredulous and disingenuous'.

The spokesperson said: "Walleys Quarry Ltd is disappointed that the minister has chosen to visit the area and speak about the site without seeing it for himself.

"We had hoped to welcome Mr Moore to the site to see our demonstrable, substantial and sustained progress. After first indicating he was planning to do so, we were later informed that he would be unable to attend. We find his decision to go ahead with a visit despite being unable to meet with us incredulous and disingenuous. Progress onsite and for the best community outcome will only come as a result of collaboration.

"Further to these aims, our invitation remains open for the minister to meet with and discuss how we can work together to meet mutual goals.

"Calls for closure are unproductive, inflammatory and disregard any thought or effort towards the practical realities.

"We remain committed to our end goal. In time Walleys Quarry Ltd will cease to operate as a landfill and restoration will be completed. In the meantime, all onsite emissions remain well within World Health Organisation guidelines and pose no risk to health."

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