Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council says it will keep close tabs on Walleys Quarry now that is is able to use its full legal powers to fight the smell at the Silverdale landfill site.

The site's operator was given a five-month compliance period to make sure its operations met with the necessary requirements.

Despite the councils serving an abatement notice in August 2021, it had to be put on hold for more than a year while a legal challenge took place.

An agreement was eventually reached in early October 2022, meaning the abatement notice is now fully active after a five-month compliance period.

It means the council now has the ability to prosecute Walleys Quarry if the operator doesn't take the necessary action to stop the odour nuisance which has been blighting the local community.

Since the abatement notice was first served there has been a significant reduction in odour problems around Walleys Quarry.

However, despite the improvements the borough council says it is still closely monitoring the landfill and will raise any concerns with the operator if necessary.

The company behind Walleys Quarry, moved from their Newcastle HQ earlier in the year (LDR).

Council leader Simon Tagg said: "This has been a lengthy process to get to the point where the council has these powers and it is good to see the significant reductions in both off-site odours and complaints.

"There is still room for improvement, but the situation is much better and there is a greater openness, brought about through mediation, about what is happening at the site and the steps being taken to manage it on a day-to-day basis."

He added: "We remain ever-vigilant and continue to monitor emissions in the area, while encouraging Walleys Quarry Ltd to maintain recent improvements."

The council's chief executive Martin Hamilton said the council has commissioned a report which will bring together all the data the council has been recording over the past five months so that it can be reviewed at April's full council meeting.

In addition, Mr Hamilton provides a monthly overview to the council's cabinet – and this will continue for the foreseeable future.

He acknowledged that odour issues appear to have been heading in the right direction – with complaints and data indicating there is less of a problem now.

Newcastle Borough Council now has the ability to prosecute Walleys Quarry operators (LDR).

He said: "Overall I think what we see is a dramatically improved picture from two years ago, and a pretty steady state with a period of time with no major issues."

If the problem does return, the council would have to get permission from the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs (currently Thérèse Coffey) and provide evidence that the operator has failed to follow best practice and that this has affected the community.

The council says it will use its new powers if necessary, but the hope is that existing improvements can be maintained so this won't be needed.

A spokesperson for the landfill site said: "Walleys Quarry Limited has worked tirelessly to ensure that its landfill operation is not the source of community concern or complaint.

"We are committed to continuing to work closely with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, as we have over the last five months, and to shape our plans and strategies to ensure that landfill gas control at the site continues to constitute 'best practicable means' and remains effective in controlling emissions.

"We appreciate the council's recognition of the efforts we have made to reduce emissions and their acknowledgment that these are delivering positive results.

"We look forward to carrying on with our work and continued cooperation with the council for the benefit of all those in the community."

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