By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Ongoing Struggles with Odour Control at Withyhedge Landfill
Efforts to contain the pervasive smell at the Withyhedge landfill in Pembrokeshire, once described as a "stink bomb on steroids," have been completed, yet the odour persists. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued enforcement notices to the site in February and April, aiming to address the gas emissions and associated smell. Despite the site meeting the requirements of these notices by last Friday, NRW continues to receive numerous complaints about the lingering odour. This persistent issue has kept the landfill under scrutiny, with NRW actively investigating whether the site's owner, Resources Management UK Ltd (RML), has breached its environmental permit conditions.
RML, a subsidiary of Dauson Environmental Group, is owned by David John Neal, who has a history of legal issues related to waste management. Neal received suspended sentences in 2013 for illegally dumping waste and in 2017 for failing to clean it up. Despite the recent compliance, NRW maintains that significant work remains to manage the landfill's gas emissions effectively. Huwel Manley of NRW emphasized that although the required actions were completed, the site is still under investigation, and NRW will continue to monitor and enforce regulations to ensure proper management of the landfill's gas emissions.
Calls for Action and Accountability Amid Community Outcry
The ongoing odour issues at Withyhedge landfill have sparked significant community distress and calls for decisive action. Preseli Pembrokeshire Member of the Senedd (MS) Paul Davies voiced strong concerns, stating that local residents are "continuing to suffer" and advocating for the site's closure. Davies also called for an independent public inquiry into the landfill's management, stressing the need for transparency and accountability to provide the community with the answers it deserves.
The landfill's operator, RML, was instructed to implement measures such as capping areas of the site and installing infrastructure to capture and contain gas emissions. However, despite these efforts, the smell remains a significant issue. NRW's Manley reiterated the agency's commitment to holding the site accountable, indicating that they have a range of enforcement options available and will not hesitate to use them if necessary. As the investigation continues, the community and local authorities remain vigilant, seeking a long term solution to the odour problems that have plagued the area.
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