Residents cause a stink over stench from Altham landfill site

3:48pm Friday 23rd November 2012 in Hyndburn Photograph of the Author By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

Whinney Hill tip, near Altham Whinney Hill tip, near Altham

ANGRY families living near the Whinney Hill tip are to take legal action to stop the stench from the landfill site.

More than 40 have retained a top solicitors’ firm to sue operators Sita (Lancashire) Ltd after a 2009 action plan failed to stop the smells.

For more than six years nearby residents have reported smelling methane gas for miles, with the worst-hit areas being Altham, Huncoat and Clayton- le-Moors.

They have repeatedly complained to Hyndburn Borough and Lancashire County Councils, the Environment Agency, and Sita, that they are unable to open their doors and windows, or use their gardens during the summer months.

Specialist environmental solicitors, Hugh James, have now been instructed to represent the families in a legal fight to end the odour problems that have been occurring.

Partner Gwen Evans said: “The evidence we have seen suggests that residents have been exposed to an unacceptable level of odour from the landfill site.

“People in these circumstances are entitled to compensation for what they have suffered in the past, and an injunction to prevent the continuation of this nuisance in future.

“Those affected should contact us for more details if they would like to make a claim.”

A meeting will be held at Accrington Stanley Football Club, in Livingstone Road, Accrington, at 7 pm on Thursday, to discuss the case, and for those affected to find out more about the legal action, and their entitlements.

Residents affected by the odour from the site have been invited to attend to find out further information about the claim, funding, next steps, and to ask any questions.

A SITA spokesperson said: “Whinney Hill landfill site provides an essential service in the safe, and responsible, disposal of waste from local authorities, businesses and industry.

“All operations are undertaken in line with robust environmental legislation and are regulated by the Environment Agency.

“The company meets regularly with community representatives and residents to ensure the site is operated in line with its Environmental Permit and to provide a forum for feedback.”

The residents instructed Hugh James on a ‘no win no fee’ basis.

Comments (7)

3:52pm Fri 23 Nov 12

midas says...

BPM!
BPM! midas

5:14pm Fri 23 Nov 12

phantom says...

I live in maricourt avenue at intack Blackburn,last new years eve i called out the gas board regarding a smell of gas outside my house,he tested all my appliances and informed me that it was methane from whinney hill ,I have no axe to grind in this case but i fully support the people who live in altham etc. if i can smell the gas on the occasion i pity those folk that live nearby,i must be about at least 4 miles from the tip.
I live in maricourt avenue at intack Blackburn,last new years eve i called out the gas board regarding a smell of gas outside my house,he tested all my appliances and informed me that it was methane from whinney hill ,I have no axe to grind in this case but i fully support the people who live in altham etc. if i can smell the gas on the occasion i pity those folk that live nearby,i must be about at least 4 miles from the tip. phantom

6:16pm Fri 23 Nov 12

useyourhead says...

i'm sick of feeling sick everytime i drive on the m65 from accy to burnley, nauseating. good luck to the poor residents, hope they win something.
i'm sick of feeling sick everytime i drive on the m65 from accy to burnley, nauseating. good luck to the poor residents, hope they win something. useyourhead

6:18pm Fri 23 Nov 12

coates warder says...

it is bad passing it on the m65 i gip everytime its not good
it is bad passing it on the m65 i gip everytime its not good coates warder

6:30pm Fri 23 Nov 12

stillgame says...

"Robust" - it pops up everywhere when "inadequate" would do.
"Robust" - it pops up everywhere when "inadequate" would do. stillgame

11:19am Sat 24 Nov 12

wrinkles says...

Who are these "local" authorities? A few years ago I commented to one of the site workers about the number of waste wagons queueing up attracting hundreds of seagulls and he told me that because Whinney Hill is open seven days a week they have lorries coming great distances, which I found worrying because the country had started to get reports of disease in farm animals.
.
Who are these "local" authorities? A few years ago I commented to one of the site workers about the number of waste wagons queueing up attracting hundreds of seagulls and he told me that because Whinney Hill is open seven days a week they have lorries coming great distances, which I found worrying because the country had started to get reports of disease in farm animals. . wrinkles

9:29am Mon 26 Nov 12

ChrisAcc says...

Don't we all just jump on the band wagon when there is a chance of a claim.Have these people looked into how complex an operation land fill is,and the amount of investment in the site,which is stictly controlled by legislation.All complaints are monitored with the Environment Agency,which are not as many as quoted above? Sita have previously held open days at the site to explain the work they do,and the difficulties they encounter,did these people attend to find out more,NO, but are happy to allegedly complain.
Don't we all just jump on the band wagon when there is a chance of a claim.Have these people looked into how complex an operation land fill is,and the amount of investment in the site,which is stictly controlled by legislation.All complaints are monitored with the Environment Agency,which are not as many as quoted above? Sita have previously held open days at the site to explain the work they do,and the difficulties they encounter,did these people attend to find out more,NO, but are happy to allegedly complain. ChrisAcc

Comments are closed on this article.

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