Pembrokeshire Council has recently found itself at the centre of a controversy surrounding a landfill site near Haverfordwest, which has caused a stink in a nearby village. The council’s efforts to address the odour issues at Withyhedge Landfill have come at a significant cost, with expenses totalling £166,544. This figure includes costs for air quality monitoring, legal fees, ancillary expenses, and staff overtime. The situation escalated in October 2024 when the council sought legal action against site operators RML after repeated complaints from residents about unpleasant odours and potential health risks from the landfill.
Despite acknowledging the nuisance caused by the dump, a circuit judge ruled against the council’s application for an interim injunction, citing procedural errors. The council had the option to appeal the decision but chose not to due to financial concerns and reported improvements in the landfill’s condition. Councillor Rhys Sinnett presented a report at a recent council meeting, highlighting the challenges faced by the authority in balancing legal costs with the need to address the landfill issues effectively. The report stated that legal expenses amounting to £169,110.87 were initially ordered, but a reduced sum of £100,000 was agreed upon.
Furthermore, the report outlined additional costs incurred by the council, including ongoing air quality monitoring expenses, translation services for reports, and staff overtime related to monitoring activities. Despite a spike in complaints following the resumption of waste tipping in early 2025, investigations indicated that the odours were not originating from the landfill. The operator’s adherence to revised waste acceptance procedures, approved by Natural Resources Wales, was seen as a positive development. The authority and NRW have secured funding to continue air quality monitoring at a static monitor location until March 31, with provisions for a potential extension costing £57,215 for an additional year.
Members of the council agreed to review air quality monitoring at the Spittal School location on a quarterly basis, contingent on community complaints and monitoring results. The council emphasised the impact of their legal actions on the operator’s remedial efforts, noting improvements in the landfill’s compliance with regulations. While the financial burden of the legal dispute has been substantial, the council believes that their intervention has been instrumental in driving positive changes at the landfill site. As Pembrokeshire residents await further updates on the landfill situation, ongoing monitoring and regulatory compliance remain key priorities for local authorities.
The costly row over Withyhedge Landfill serves as a cautionary tale for councils dealing with environmental and public health concerns. As communities grapple with the consequences of waste management practices, transparency, accountability, and timely interventions are crucial in mitigating potential risks. The balancing act between legal obligations, financial constraints, and community well-being underscores the complex challenges faced by local authorities in safeguarding public health and environmental quality. The aftermath of the landfill dispute highlights the multifaceted nature of governance in addressing environmental disputes and underscores the need for proactive, collaborative approaches to environmental management.