The landfill site, which has been at the centre of thousands of complaints over foul smells, has been hit with a closure notice – meaning the site can no longer accept waste from tomorrow.

The Environment Agency has said that Walleys Quarry has been issued the notice after 'exhausting other enforcement options.'

Earlier this year the site was hit with a suspension notice lasting just 12 days. Recently complaints this year have doubled when compared to 2023 and are at a four year high. Newcastle Borough Council is currently in the process of pursuing legal action against the operator.

Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: "The Environment Agency is the main regulator for this site and for far too long this authority has been urging it to act on behalf of a community under siege.

"Complaints to the council about the foul gas odours have soared this year, already more than double the whole of 2023, and I hope that this action by the EA is the first step to a permanent solution for our residents.

"I would encourage residents to carry on reporting the foul smells every time they happen to both the council and the EA."

The Notice starts the process of permanently closing the site after the EA says the company was given time to put effective measures in place to manage emissions and yet failed to do so.

Walleys Quarry will now be required to permanently cap the remainder of the site and install further landfill gas management infrastructure. Lorries will only be allowed to enter the site to bring in materials for those purposes.

Speaking about the closure notice, Adam Jogee MP said: "This is a good day for Newcastle-under-Lyme and our people. The situation at Walleys Quarry – and its impact on our community – has been completely unacceptable. And has gone on for far too long. This news will be welcomed by thousands and thousands of local people who have endured so much for so long.

The operator of the site has the right to appeal against the notice and has two months do to so. If appealed a planning inspector will hear it and decide whether to quash or affirm the Notice.

Ian Jones, Environment Agency West Midlands Area Director, said: "We have every sympathy with the local community and have worked tirelessly to resolve the problem of landfill gas emissions from the site. 

"In doing so, we have taken a robust approach to regulating Walleys Quarry Ltd. Our aim has always been to bring the operator into compliance with its permit and the decision to issue a Closure Notice is not one we take lightly.

"We have given Walleys Quarry Ltd sufficient time to put in place effective measures to manage emissions and it has failed to do so."

------------

READ MORE: Concerns raised about changes to plans for 300 new homes in North Staffordshire

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.