Action call over smell from Biffa waste plant
The Environment Agency was today urged to take "tough enforcement action" against a waste plant in Staffordshire dogged by long-running complaints about bad smells.
The deputy leader of Cannock Chase Council has called for the agency to take a stronger approach to smells from the Biffa waste plant in Heath Hayes, which residents have complained about since 2011.
Councillor Janos Toth said he would even support the closure of the Poplars landfill and anaerobic digestion site if it were the only means by which to resolve the issue.
This news comes just weeks after Biffa Waste Services invested a total of £800,000 on improvements to the site in a bid to stop the smells plaguing residents living around the Newlands Park Estate.
Councillor Toth said: "If the problem cannot be sorted out then the Environment Agency must act responsibly and take tough enforcement action. Ultimately, this could mean shutting the plant down and moving it to a more appropriate location and I would support this course of action if needed."
The Environment Agency sent out letters this week to all residents who have voiced concerns over the site, detailing the work which has been carried out there.
Since October a host of improvements have been made to the plant, including extra sealing of doors, roofs fitted to the two bio-filters at the site and alarms fitted to doors to ensure they are not left open.
Law firm Hugh James says more than 80 families are now taking legal action over the smell. Biffa says it has not received any notification. Julie Fourcade, spokesman for Biffa, said: "Our position remains to engage with residents, listen to their issues and take every step in our power to address any legitimate concerns that they may have."
