Major update on Fleetwood landfill stench as Abatement Notice is served on Transwaste

Wyre Council has issued an Abatement Notice to the operator of the Jameson Road landfill in Fleetwood.

The notice, served yesterday, requires Transwaste Recycling and Aggregates Ltd to ‘implement measures that will prevent unwanted odour from Jameson Road Landfill from unreasonably affecting people at their homes or places of work.’

The company has 60 days to abate the nuisance, as specified in the legal notice.

It will be welcome news for Fleetwood residents who have tirelessly campaigned and protested about the fould smell drifting from the site.

They have huge health concerns about how toxic gases are affecting them and are sick of the misery in putting up with the stench.

Councillor Michael Vincent, the Leader of Wyre Council, said: "From the start, we have made it clear that our priorities are fully in line with those of our residents, and we have worked to gather the robust evidence needed to meet the legal standards required by the courts in order to issue this abatement notice.

“The notice, now formally in place, legally compels Transwaste Recycling and Aggregates Ltd to take effective action to stop landfill odours from significantly impacting people’s homes and workplaces.”

This period of time is based upon legal advice and has been set in accordance with the requirements of the legislation, which stipulates that the operator must be given a ‘reasonable time period’ in which to comply.

Wyre Council holds powers to address statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

This decision to serve a notice follows a process of evidence-gathering with local residents to build a case that meets the legal test for Statutory Nuisance.

Wyre Council has recently received an increase in the number of diary sheets submitted by residents and officer verification visits accepted. Additionally, the authority has completed two enhanced monitoring studies with residents who regularly submitted evidence.

Under the legislation, the operator is permitted to continue site activities while the abatement notice is in effect; however, they are required by law to abate the nuisance within the specified 60-day timeframe. The Council will monitor compliance very closely to ensure the issue is properly resolved.

“We would like to sincerely thank all residents who contributed diary sheets and welcomed officer visits, as their cooperation was essential in building the case for formal action,” said Cllr Vincent.

It is crucial that residents who are affected by unwanted odour continue to record these instances on diary sheets and report them to the Council. Now that the abatement notice is in force, it is even more important that high-quality evidence is collected and submitted.

Maintaining accurate records enables the council to monitor compliance effectively and ensures that any ongoing issues can be addressed promptly and in accordance with legal requirements.