Landfill plans 'horrible for town' - residents

The owners of a landfill site that has been hit with complaints about appalling smells have applied to make changes to how it operates.

Residents in Fleetwood have complained the site on Jameson Road has been emitting a rotten egg smell since February 2024, and making them ill.

Operator Transwaste has now applied for permission "operate a dedicated tipping bay" on the site and the Environment Agency (EA) is holding a public consultation before any approval is given.

Members of the Stop the Stink campaign have said the change would be "horrible for the whole town and surrounding areas".

The EA shared some of the details Transwaste's application to change its operations.

It said the owner wanted to "operate a dedicated tipping bay for waste brought on to the site. The tipped waste would be transferred to dump trucks that would take the waste to final disposal in the landfill".

Alyson Rowe, from the Stop the Stink campaign, said the change would be "no good for the town".

The 63-year-old said residents "will have to put up with the stink more because they're going to have to move the rubbish once into the concrete bay and then again to cover it up".

In the application, the owner said there would be sealed drainage and containment, and that the bay would be surrounded by nets to minimise the potential for litter escaping.

They also said there would be screening, which would act as a wind shield

However, campaign member Jess Brown said the owner had unsuccessfully used nets in the past to try and prevent litter

"They've used their nets when there's been storm and we've ended up with rubbish all down the side of the marsh," the 32-year-old said.

"It's only going to get worse because they can't deal with the amount of rubbish they're bringing in at the moment."

The Environment Agency said it was unable to comment further and encouraged those wishing to share their opinion to take part in the consultation.

Transwaste has been contacted for comment.

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