Pictures as community rallies against Whinney Hill tip in Altham

On Saturday, April 5, around 30 people, including councillors, descended on Church Lane in Clayton-le-Moors for the Tipped Over the Edge protest.

This was to raise awareness of the impact the tip is having on people.

People brought their own signs that read “we are tipped over the edge” and “just stop ‘gulls”.

Gary Hough, administrator of Facebook campaign group Tipped Over The Edge and one of the protest organisers, said it will continue to protest until “meaningful action is taken to resolve the longstanding issues” surrounding the tip.

Gary said: “Community Rallies Against Whinney Hill Landfill On Saturday, campaigners gathered for the Tipped Over the Edge protest to raise awareness of the ongoing impact of Whinney Hill Landfill.

“Despite a smaller-than-expected turnout, including 25 to 30 participants and several Labour councillors, the event drew overwhelming support from passing residents.

“Many have since expressed interest in joining the campaign – a clear sign that community concern is growing.

“We will continue to protest until meaningful action is taken to resolve the longstanding issues caused.”

Former Hyndburn MP, Graham Jones, said residents have had to put up with "foul odours, noise, considerable seagull deposits with an ever growing seagull colony" for too long.

He said: “Residents in Altham and Accrington have endured unacceptable conditions — foul odours, noise, considerable seagull deposits with an ever-growing seagull colony — caused by the continued tipping of household waste, including food waste, at this site.

“Whinney Hill is operated by SUEZ with a contract with Lancashire County Council for household waste. 

“There needs to be a big bold solution to waste and know my Labour colleagues are working hard to find a solution.”

Noordad Aziz, deputy leader of Hyndburn Council, was also in attendance.

He said: “Proud to stand with [protesters] and highlight the impact of Whinney Hill landfill Site on residents and demanding urgent action.

“I will speak up for residents to get a resolution.”

Hyndburn’s full council meeting passed a motion calling for 'urgent action on the impact of Whinney Hill Landfill Site' when it met in Accrington Town Hall last month.

A spokesperson for Suez said: “Whinney Hill landfill site has been in operation since the 1970s and provides an essential service, managing primarily household waste from across Lancashire, including Hyndburn.

"Our site is regulated by the Environment Agency, and we have an active environmental management system in place to manage any odour or pests which we keep under constant review.

“Lancashire is home to one of the largest seagull colonies in Europe, which has grown in population following the pandemic, causing seagulls to migrate further inland for food sources.

“As the birds are a protected species, we are able to take non-lethal preventative measures to ensure the seagulls do not feed from the site, such as the use of gas canons, blank firing pistols, pyrotechnics, lasers and birds of prey.

“We are a responsible operator and recognise the inconvenience the birds cause when they are here.

"We would like to assure residents that we are actively working to deter the seagulls and will continue to take advice from Natural England to alleviate the problem for our neighbours.

"We respect the right to peaceful protest, and we will continue to engage with representatives of the local community on their concerns.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We're taking action to ensure the operator, Suez, addresses issues at Whinney Hill landfill site and recognises the distress that odour and gulls are causing to members of the community.

 “We will continue to carry out regulatory inspections and keep working with Suez to ensure the site is compliant with its environmental permit.”

Hyndburn Council has been approached for comment.