'Cut landfill site stench ...or shut it'

SWIFT action needs to be taken to reduce the odour around Hafod landfill site or the site should be shut according to Wrexham councillors.

- By ALEC DOYLE

The first report on the odour problem at Hafod landfill site which has seen complaints drawn from Johnstown, Ruabon, Ponciau and Rhostyllen since October was welcomed by Wrexham councillors on Tuesday.

But members of Wrexham's Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee remained concerned about the lack of a clear timeline from Hafod landfill operator Enovert to resolve the stench, an issue for residents for 18 years.

"The people have suffered enough," said Ponciau councillor Paul Pemberton.

"We have everyone around the table and we are improving, I'm not denying that, but it worries me we will be sitting here in two, three, four, five or 10 years still talking about the same thing.

"Everybody needs to pull their fingers out quicker. Either get it right or shut it."

Committee members received a report by Wrexham Council's Public Protection department, Natural Resources Wales and Enovert. It presented the first month of data from the new monitoring process put in place following a spike in complaints last October.