Walleys Quarry, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, pictured in 2021.

Walleys Quarry loses legal bid to accept waste again 

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Controversial landfill operator Walleys Quarry has failed in a legal bid to be allowed to accept waste again. 

The operator is currently appealing against a closure notice relating to its Newcastle-under-Lyme site, which was issued by the Environment Agency in November.

Yesterday, 4 February, the Planning Court ruled that no new waste can be accepted until the appeal has been heard in May this year.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said yesterday afternoon:  “Today’s decision by the Court means that Walleys Quarry Ltd (WQL) cannot accept waste for disposal at Walleys Quarry and must continue to comply with the Closure Notice, including implementing measures to manage emissions of landfill gas from the site. It is not appropriate for the Environment Agency to comment further on active legal proceedings.” 

A Walleys Quarry spokesperson has responded by saying the firm is ‘disappointed’ with the decision.

The spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with the Court’s decision and remain clear that keeping the site open delivers greatest benefit and sustainability for the site.

“We have made extensive factual and legal submissions to the Environment Agency, which in our view they have not substantively engaged with.

“As a business we completely reject the accusations made by the Environment Agency relating to poor management of the landfill site and will review our future options.”

Simon Tagg, leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, wrote to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed OBE two weeks ago to ask him to use his legal powers to call the matter in and reach a decision ‘urgently’. 

Welcoming the news that Walleys Quarry’s application had failed, Mr Tagg said: “The Environment Agency took a decision to serve a closure notice based on evidence built up over a long period of time, evidence which is going to be tested by the Planning Inspectorate in due course, so I am very relieved that this application failed. 

“Residents have reported their physical and mental suffering from the foul gas odours coming from this site for many years and the closure notice offered hope. What we need now is a permanent solution. 

“The Planning Inspectorate is due to hear the operator’s appeal against the closure notice later this year and this council is throwing its weight behind the EA’s position and has applied to put forward additional evidence gathered by our officers. 

“Given that the operator has the right to challenge today’s ruling, it is clear now that the closure notice appeal should be heard as quickly as possible.” 

Hannah Hiles

A journalist and comms professional with an eye for a story, Hannah has more than 20 years' experience in news, features and PR in Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

2 Comments

  1. This is good news for the quarry and the residents.
    They are not instructed to close – only to not accept more refuse being delivered. This is a perfect opportunity to get the house in order, clean up their processes and reduce the awful smell wafting across Newcastle and towards Tunstall/Burslem – without having to worry about new refuse arriving.

  2. Personally I don’t think Walley’s Quarry actually cares about cleaning up their act, they would keep that quarry open as much as possible to make money, nothing else. I don’t get the impression that they are conscientious at all. All they care about is profit. Its too close to residents anyway IMO, and this will be an ongoing issue with the site if they don’t come up with a very effective way of dealing with the waste being dumped there.

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