Pendle faces waste costs soaring by millions as landfill deal nears end
Councillors are being warned that all future waste site options will increase costs, with estimates rising to £2.6 million.
Pendle Council is warning that all future options for waste transfer sites will lead to increased costs, with estimates ranging from £600,000 to £2.6 million, according to a new report set to go before the council’s Executive.
The looming financial pressure comes as Lancashire County Council’s agreement with the Whinney Hill landfill site near Altham is set to end in March 2026. The site, operated by Suez UK Ltd, has served as a key tipping point for non-recyclable waste from smaller East Lancashire boroughs.
Once the deal ends, boroughs like Pendle will need to find alternative arrangements—potentially involving longer journeys and higher fuel costs to reach the county’s Farington Waste Recovery Park near Leyland.
Pendle Council had previously scrapped plans for a new £2 million waste transfer site in Nelson, citing uncertainty around future waste reforms and concerns about creating “white elephants.” A similar upgrade plan was also dropped in Rossendale.
Now, Pendle’s Executive is revisiting its options. A report prepared for the meeting states:
“As part of the council’s ongoing attempts to ensure Pendle is provided with local waste management facilities, following the ending of the county council’s current agreements, the borough recently met county representatives to further discuss options for management of waste and materials after April 2026.”
It continues:
“County representatives advised that from April 2026, the county council would no longer have budgets available to support the management of waste and materials. The statement effectively placed Pendle back to where it was in 2022 with the county saying the Farington waste recovery park near Leyland was the only guaranteed tipping point for Pendle’s waste.”
Three proposals have been presented by Lancashire County Council for Pendle to consider:
Use the existing Pendle transfer station contract on a rolling year-by-year basis for at least three years.
Allow the county to procure a treatment contract for Pendle’s non-recyclable waste.
Pendle makes its own arrangements for residual waste.
Cost estimates vary depending on location. A site within 10 miles, such as Deerplay or Cliviger, could cost between £600,000 and £745,950. A site within 15 miles, like Darwen, is estimated at £809,950. The most expensive option—using Farington—could cost up to £2.6 million.
Pendle’s Executive is scheduled to meet in Nelson on Thursday, August 21 to discuss the report and next steps.