Water treatment for Staffordshire site set to go ahead

Biffa Waste Services wants to install the leachate treatment plant at Meece Landfill, between Swynnerton and Yarnfield.

At the moment, contaminated water which builds up at the site has to be removed by tanker vehicles, with up to five HGVs a day leaving the landfill. 

Biffa says that the ‘reverse osmosis’ plant would allow treated effluent to be discharged into surface water or the sewers instead, reducing HGV movements to two a day.

Residents living in the area have raised concerns over odour and noise, and feared that leachates from other sites could be brought to Meece for treatment. But planning officers at Staffordshire County Council have recommended the scheme for approval, following assurances from Biffa.

The report to the planning committee states: “It is reasonable to conclude that the proposal should improve the existing treatment of leachates from the landfill site and that subject to conditions, the proposals should not cause a materially adverse impact on local amenity and the environment.”

The site, off Swynnerton Road, has been used as a landfill since 1986. Initially most of the deposited waste was ash from Hanford incinerator, but in 1999 permission was granted for the disposal of domestic and industrial waste. 

Landfilling at Meece was suspended in 2010, but the site’s planning permission runs until 2035.

The proposed leachate treatment at the north edge of the site would consist of various tanks and containers, along with a 4.5 metre carbon dioxide stripping tower. According to Biffa’s planning application, the current method of removing leachate by road is ‘unsustainable’, and that the proposed reverse osmosis plant would be the most suitable solution for the site.

The council received eight representations from residents, who raised concerns over odour and noise and uncertainty as to whether leachate from other sites would be brought to Meece.

According to the officers’ report, Biffa has given assurances that any noise from the plant would comply with guidelines, and that the treatment system would be fully contained, meaning the potential for odours is ‘negligible’. Biffa has also confirmed that there is no intention to import leachate from other sites.

No objections were received from the Environment Agency or Severn Trent Water. Planning committee members will consider the application at their meeting next Thursday.