Ellesmere landfill site could stay in use until 2035

A landfill site in north Shropshire could remain in use until 2035 in a move that would help safeguard about 70 jobs. Tudor Griffiths Limited wants to continue using its Spunhill site, near Ellesmere, for 24 years.

The firm has applied to Shropshire Council to vary the conditions, namely the time limits, of its existing permission to operate the landfill site.

Its current permission to import up to 150,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste a year expired on December 31.

If successful, the move would help secure the jobs of about 70 staff.

A report for the applicant says a further 1,062,000 cubic metres of landfill space would be opened up for non-hazardous waste if Shirehall approves the scheme.

It adds that the number of vehicle movements to and from the site on the A528 Ellesmere to Shrewsbury road would not change.

The report says: "The reason for the planning application is to extend the duration of landfill operations at the Wood Lane site to enable the permitted voidspace to be completed and the approved restoration scheme to be achieved in its entirety.

"In this respect, it seeks to improve the way the site is developed and ultimately restored to avoid long term impacts associated with the visual appearance of the final landform.

"The planning application does not seek to increase the annual capacity for landfill within the county or provide an additional or replacement landfill facility, but would provide for a longer term facility."