Walleys Quarry: Liquidators abandon responsibility for landfill's permit
It's after Walleys Quarry Ltd entered liquidation four months after being ordered to stop accepting waste
The liquidators in charge of a controversial foul smelling landfill in Newcastle have informed the Environment Agency that they have disclaimed the environmental permits held by the former owners.
This means that the environmental permits at Walleys Quarry in Silverdale covering the landfill and the soil treatment activity, no longer exist.
The Environment Agency says it cannot object to a liquidator disclaiming an environmental permit or any other property owned by a company.
Risk to health and ongoing fumes
The Environment Agency states that they do not consider there to be an immediate risk of serious pollution, which includes harm to human health.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will continue to work with partners to support residents by analysing air quality data and providing public health risk assessments.
CLP Envirogas Limited is continuing to operate the onsite landfill gas management system.
Officers have identified there is still some work to do in respect of the infrastructure steps in the Closure Notice.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
“The environmental permit held by Walleys Quarry Ltd in relation to operation of the landfill has been disclaimed and no longer exists.
“Having recently assessed the site, we are satisfied that there are no immediate serious risks of pollution, including harm to human health. We will use the powers available to us to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to remove the risk of serious pollution, including instructing specialist contractors.
“We remain committed to working alongside partners to secure a long term, stable and sustainable resolution.”
The Environment Agency says it has discretionary powers, to arrange for steps to be taken to remove the risk of serious pollution, and they're liaising with specialist contractors are expected to be onsite.
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