In advance of the Special Full Council Meeting being held by Newcastle Borough Council later this week, I wrote to Councillor Simon Tagg, Leader of the Council to raise my concerns on behalf of residents living in Stoke-on-Trent Central who have contacted me to raise their concerns over the smell emanating from Walley's Quarry.
Please find below a copy of my letter:
Cllr Simon Tagg
Leader of the Council
Newcastle Borough Council
Castle House, Barracks Road
Newcastle under Lyme
ST5 1BL
15th March 2021
Dear Simon,
Re: Walley’s Quarry, Silverdale, Newcastle under Lyme.
I write with regards to the ongoing issues with Walley’s Quarry, Silverdale and the smell which is emanating from the site.
I have been contacted by a number of my constituents who have raised their concerns of strong smells emanating from the Quarry, which are negatively impacting their daily lives. My constituents have described the negative impact of the strong smells on their health and wellbeing, including sickness, headaches and the inability to sleep due to the strength of the smell. Constituents have indicated that they have suffered with the smells for an extended time and despite their best efforts, this matter remains unresolved.
Please find below some of the experiences my constituents have shared with me:
‘The smell was so bad yesterday… it left a sickening taste in the mouth’
‘The site is 3 miles away from me, yet even without the windows open the stench is nauseating’
‘The smell is intolerable and is making me feel nauseous, headachey and affecting my breathing’.
‘I work in Hanley and we can smell it indoors… it is burning our nostrils and making it hard to concentrate’.
In addition to my constituents, businesses, schools and the Royal Stoke Hospital have all raised complaints, with the hospital complaint outlining serious concerns about the levels of hydrogen sulphide around the hospital site which they believe were emanating from the Quarry.
I am aware that on 5th March 2021, it was confirmed by the Environment Agency that the site was in breach of their permit due to contaminated standing water which had the potential to cause odour. In addition, on 13th March Red Industries announced that they will curtail landfill operations whilst other works take place at the site.
Whilst the announcement from Red Industries is welcome, it is clear that this is only a temporary measure. A long-term solution must be found to ensure that the odour emanating from the site no longer impacts on the daily lives of constituents across the area and that Red Industries takes all necessary steps to ensure that as a responsible operator to resolve this matter in a timely manner.
With all best wishes,
Jo Gideon
Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central
