Residents call for Canterbury landfill closure

Residents living near a Kent landfill site have called for it to be shut down, saying it has become a "mountain" of rubbish.

Shelford Landfill sits off Shalloak Road in Canterbury and has been used since 1971.

In recent years, locals have criticised the site for emitting a "sickening" sulphurous smell.

A spokesperson for operators Valencia Waste Management Ltd said: "We are operating the landfill site at Shelford in accordance with our planning and permitted requirements and are committed to being a responsible neighbour."

A recent public meeting, organised by campaigners Canterbury Landfill Action Group, saw more than 50 residents meet with representatives of the Environment Agency (EA), which is responsible for regulating landfills.

Tim Long, chairing the meeting, said residents cannot hang out washing as a result of the odours from the site.

"The landfill site has really grown enormously; it's quite shocking," he added.

One resident said he the smell had increased in the past year, now becoming "oppressive."

"It just makes me feel sick," another local added.

Paul Bennett, an EA manager, says hydrogen sulphide gives off a strong smell, even at very low levels.

"Unfortunately, your noses are the best thing we have for detecting the odour," he says.

Bennett said, for legal reasons, he could not reveal whether there was current enforcement action underway.

"The EA now is really reviewing the poor performing and non-compliant sites, and Shelford landfill has historically been a poor performing site," he said.

Valencia Waste Management Ltd says it has applied to the EA to effectively double the amount of waste processed to half a million tonnes a year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A decision is pending.

Bennett explained: "We are asking the company further questions."

He said: "We have to be very, very sure when we're going through that process because ultimately it's a lot of money when we're doing these legal challenges."

A spokesperson for Valencia said: "The Shelford landfill site has planning permission until 2036, however, at current commercial planning we expect the site to close to waste inputs by 2031, ahead of restoration.

"We continue to work with our customers and local residents to ensure that any vehicles delivering waste to the site do not impact the public highway."

They say the company has "significantly improved its performance and reduced the impact the site has upon local residents".

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