Quarry operator appoints liquidators amid foul smell controversy

A Newcastle-under-Lyme quarry operator at the centre of row over rotten eggs smells has gone into liquidation.

Walleys Quarry Ltd which operates the site, has been unable to accept any new waste since the end of November due to a closure notice from The Environment Agency.

Residents of Silverdale in Staffordshire have complained about the stench coming from the chemical hydrogen sulphide, released by the 400,000 tonnes of waste being dumped at Walleys Quarry each year.

The notice was issued to start the process of permanently closing the site, after Walleys Quarry failed to put effective measures in place to manage emissions.

Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said: “I am hugely disappointed but not at all surprised that Walleys Quarry Ltd, a company making what I understand was a substantial income, has not remained to honour its obligations to fully cap off and restore the landfill.

“We understand residents will be concerned by this news and while the Environment Agency remains the lead regulator of this site, and will now need to take control, we will offer both the EA and liquidator any support we can within our powers to keep this landfill under control.”

He added: “Elected members of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have unanimously endorsed that the landfill site should be closed, capped and restored and that remains our goal.

“I understand that work on capping and gas capture infrastructure required by the Environment Agency has largely been carried out before this news emerged.

“Although the situation appears to have improved in recent weeks, it’s vital that we keep raising this issue and if residents are affected by emissions they should continue to report them.”