Council takes action against unauthorised waste site

Wakefield Council has issued a breach of condition notice to a waste recycling site in South Elmsall.

The notice means that the operator, Mineral Processing Ltd also known as Minore, is in breach of their original planning consent. And cannot continue to import materials to the site and extract ash.

Cllr George Ayre, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “This is the next important step to take firm action against Minore who have been causing a blight on the local environment and misery for local residents for far too long.

“We are doing everything within our power to put a stop to the operations there. And if they do not comply they will be committing an offence and face an unlimited fine.

“We will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to hold Minore accountable for the impact this has been having on local residents and environment.”

At the end of June, Wakefield Council refused a planning application from Minore to continue extracting ash and recycling waste at the site for ten more years.

The Environment Agency issued a revocation notice on 4 July. This means that the permit is cancelled and the operator must cease all activities allowed by the permit and take the steps set out in the revocation notice to remove waste from the site. If they do not comply with this notice, they will be committing an offence.

Mark Lynam, Wakefield Council’s Corporate Director for Regeneration, Environment and Economic Growth, said: “It is an offence if Minore fail to comply with the breach of condition notice. But this will not prevent them from removing contaminated waste as required by notices served by the Environment Agency. The public should only see empty wagons entering the site and leaving full of contaminated waste.”

Cllr Ayre added: “We want to secure a long-term future for this site. Minore must take responsibility and clear the waste that should not be there as soon as possible. And then restore this land for our local communities as promised.”