We want illegal rubbish tip gone, say Aldridge families as deadline looms
The deadline for the clean-up of an illegal tip looms - with concern being raised by community leaders it will not be met.
Aldridge Aggregates & Recycling must shut down and clear the site on Middlemore Lane in Aldridge by the end of April.
The enforcement notice was issued by Walsall Council's planning committee.
A similar warning was issued prior but no action was taken except for 4,000 tonnes of wood being moved off the site as it was deemed a major fire hazard.
Council bosses say no planning permission was given to the firm to open on a commercial site off Middlemore Lane and in August last year.
Notification was served saying the site must be cleaned by November 4.
The deadline was extended by six months due to complications with the clear-up operation, but the situation has not significantly improved according to local councillor John Rochelle.
Councillor Rochelle said: "The issues surrounding this site are really problematic for people in Aldridge and something needs to be done so the area can move forward.
"Residents often complain about the smell, traffic and noise coming from the site and I am in agreement with them.
"Obviously, it won't be an easy job to get rid of all of this waste but the company have been given extensions and it can't just carry on."
A large part of the former Jack Allen Holdings Ltd site has been used for the storage of construction debris including hardcore, timber and green waste recycling since early 2015.
Planning officers said the council received an inquiry about using the site for Aggregates Recycling in April but complaints were received from residents who said the land was already being used for this purpose.
The council told the operator of the site to stop work at the end of May but council officers and neighbours saw that materials were still being imported into the site.
On June 25 last year, a notice was served by the Environment Agency directing that operations should stop on site and materials should be removed.
Councillor Rochelle said that he is keen to see the land used for a more suitable purpose as soon as possible.
He said: "There are talks about bringing a rail station to Aldridge and that would be great obviously, but there would be parking problems arising from that.
"This site could be used as a car park and that would save people parking all over nearby streets and the town."
