Agenda item

The Service Director for Regulatory Services presented the report on Walleys Quarry as presented to Cabinet in February. The complaints figures had improved in the meantime and it was noted that the operator’s application in relation to the closure notice had been turned down meaning they hadn’t been able to restart the importation of waste throughout that period.

Since then Walleys Quarry had entered a liquidation phase and the Environment Agency had confirmed their intention to work the liquidators as well as partner organisations to carry out air quality monitoring.

Cllr Whieldon wished to highlight that while odours and smells were commonly reported, these were indications of toxic gases which were a deeper problem regardless of existing health conditions people may have.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services advised that the legislation was addressing odours which is why the term was being used and the causes of those odours had been identified as a number of different gases including hydrogen sulphides which could be assessed and measured against legal standards. In relation to health advice people were encouraged to contact their GP when suffering the effects of the emissions.

Cllr Brown enquired about the table in paragraph 2.26 of the report and asked if the operator had been keeping up to pace with the actions detailed in the Schedule to the Closure Notice as well as if it had an impact on the drop of incidents reported in February.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services responded that the capping and gas infrastructure works for step 1 had principally been completed and the step 2 bench-like horizontal platforms were now visible. Steps 3 and 4 had also been done and progress were made on steps 5 and 6. Overall and while there had been some delays an improvement of the situation could now be recorded.

Cllr Northcott asked if the drop in February could be attributed to the changes in weather conditions and milder temperatures.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services advised that it was difficult to make such a correlation and time would tell.

Cllr Whieldon enquired about drone footage showing considerable amount of water and what could be air or gas bubbling up at the surface.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services responded that those footage were undertaken by the Environment Agency and the Council was focusing on the offsite impacts on residents within the area. An update would be requested from the Environment Agency.

Cllr Whieldon asked if a copy of those footages was provided to the Council.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services said that updates were available on the Environment Agency website and compliance assessments reports were sent to the Council.

The Chair asked about the methane referred to in the closure notice plan and why the Environment Agency had chosen to make measurements of this particular gas instead of the usual hydrogen sulphides.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services responded that methane was a carrier gas containing other gas including hydrogen sulphides and the regulations about capping were using limit values in terms of methane emissions as a standard.

The Chair wondered if resurgences in odours would be expected once the capping works would be completed.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services suggested this was too early to say but time would tell and an update would be provided.

Cllr Wilkes asked of the water quality was being checked.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services responded that it was and the Environment Agency would provide further details.

Cllr Whieldon expressed doubts about the trustworthiness of both the operator and the Environment Agency when it came to taking actions and the subsequent need to keep a close watch on them.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services confirmed that officers were keeping in touch with the Environment to try and provide this reassurance.

Resolved:    That the report be received.

Watch the debate here