Bad smells continue to plague Telford residents as councillor demands 'answers' on landfill site
A councillor has claimed that there is a ‘lack of transparency’ over why problems with bad smells are continuing at a Telford landfill site.
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The Environment Agency is working with Redhill Landfill owner Potters (Midlands) Ltd on an action plan for the site after they confirmed odours coming from there ‘escalated’ in March 2024.
Councillor Rachael Tyrrell (Cons, Priorslee) said residents in the area of the quarry, also known as Granville Woodhouse Landfill, continued to suffer “blight, headaches and nausea”.
“Where are the communications to residents?” Councillor Tyrell asked Telford and Wrekin Council deputy leader Richard Overton.
“It is not acceptable to have to search the Environment Agency website for updates.
“Why are we continuing to have issues, what has changed?”
Councillor Tyrrell said residents had been promised data from the council but “nothing” had been produced.
“It reeks of a lack of transparency,” she said.
Councillor Richard Overton said the council would ensure that the Environment Agency is “held to account”.
He added that data would be made available “shortly” on the council’s website.
But he appealed to opposition councillors not to attack the council over the issue. He said it is not responsible for a management plan at the site.
“We are working to do the best for residents,” he said.
Councillor Nigel Dugmore (Cons, Muxton) said: “We need to find out what’s been going on. The public need some answers.”
Councillor Mark Boylan (Lab, Overdale & The Rock) chairs the council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee.
He said a report would be coming to a future meeting of that committee.
The Environment Agency confirmed that the information on its website remains the case.
It encourages people to report concerns so it can keep a watch on what’s happening.
“We will continue to monitor odours, track progress against the agreed plan and review the operator’s management plans to ensure it is working in accordance with its permit,” the website reads.
“Due to some of the capping work being delayed on site because of the wet weather, we are planning to keep this information page open until the end of January 2025.
“We will continue to keep you updated through this information page as and when new information is available.”
The EA’s web page for the site is here: Granville Woodhouse Landfill Information Page – Environment Agency – Citizen Space
