Campaigners slam Lancashire County Council health report into stinking Jameson Road landfill site in Fleetwood

A combined report on how emissions from a stinking landfill site in Fleetwood are impacting on people’s health and wellbeing does not go far enough, says a campaigner.

Lancashire County Council’s Community Impact Report brought together three independent assessments undertaken to understand the potential health and wellbeing impacts associated with odour emissions from the Jameson Road landfill site.

The site has been run by Transwaste Recycling & Aggregates since the Yorkshire-based company took over from previous operators Suez in late 2023.

The three assessments were the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) public health risk assessment of air quality results published on the 25 November 2025; Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) NHS health risk/data assessment; and Lancashire County Council’s community and health impact assessment.

The report notes that the local population has a higher proportion of older adults, a greater prevalence of disability and poorer self-reported health than England averages. Respiratory disease mortality is significantly elevated. These factors increase susceptibility to environmental stressors and reduce community resilience.

The final over-arching report concluded that there was a significant impact on health and wellbeing from the emissions, and one of its main recommendations was to recommend that the Environment Agency continues to work with the operator to strengthen odour mitigation and management and to ensure timely improvements.

What campaigner says

However Jess Brown, from the campaign group Action Against Jameson Road landfill, said she was disappointed with its conclusions and recommendations.

She said: “It recognises that that there is some impact on people’s health and well-being but its recommendation just don’t go far enough. We have already had enough of the landfill site – we already know it is having an impact on people’s health. What we want to see is this place shut down.

“There is clearly enough evidence to just stop this thing, and anything else doesn’t do anyone in the town any good.”

Conclusions of impact report

The Health Impact Assessment concludes: “The combined evidence indicates that odour emissions from the Jameson Road landfill are having a significant and ongoing impact on health and wellbeing, despite the absence of measured exceedances of toxicological air quality standards.

“In a community with high baseline vulnerability, intermittent odour exposure is contributing to reduced quality of life, symptom exacerbation and psychological distress. The evidence also indicates that odour emissions are contributing to reduced wellbeing, symptom burden and psychological distress within an already vulnerable community.

“While long‐term toxicological harm appears unlikely, the impacts on quality of life and health inequality are significant. It is recommended that the Environment Agency continues to work with the operator to strengthen odour mitigation and management and to ensure timely improvements.”

“It is recommended that no additional waste should be brought into Jameson Road whilst the EA and the operator have effective management and control of current odours. We recommend that the EA continues to work with the multi-agency to ensure oversight, enhanced monitoring and clear, transparent communication with residents.

“We believe strengthened action to reduce odour exposure will help prevent further harm and avoid widening existing health inequalities.”

John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “This report highlights the real impact the ongoing odours are having on the local community, and they should not have to tolerate it. If we do not see improvements, we will not hesitate to take further action.”

What Transwaste says

Transwaste recently stated: “Jameson Road operates fully within the conditions of its Environment Agency permit. Transwaste is already delivering a comprehensive programme of works that goes significantly beyond statutory requirements and which the company believes will resolve the odour issues raised.

“This includes the permanent capping works, multiple phases of deep gas well installation throughout 2025 and 2026, an expanded landfill gas extraction network, enhanced cover materials and continuous independent monitoring. Capital investment in this programme is well in excess of standard legal obligations.”