Council to take action against unauthorised waste site

A planning application to continue extracting ash and recycling waste at a site in South Elmsall has today been refused by Wakefield Council.

Cllr George Ayre, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate and Environment, said: “For far too long, Minore has caused misery for the local community and blighted the local environment.
 
“Local councillors in the area have worked tirelessly on behalf of their residents to stand up against the operator to tackle this longstanding issue.
 
“We will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to hold Minore accountable for the impact this is having on residents, as well as the local environment.”
 
Mineral Processing Ltd, also known as Minore, applied to extend its licence to continue using the site for ten more years. But in June last year, the Environment Agency issued Minore with a suspension notice outlining a series of alleged permit breaches. This included having almost five times the permitted amount of materials been stored on the land, creating a risk to the local environment and public health.
 
Earlier this month, the Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal by Minore against the suspension notice.
 
Mark Lynam, Wakefield Council’s Corporate Director for Regeneration, Environment and Economic Growth, said: “Following the receipt of hundreds of complaints by local residents regarding this site, the planning application by Minore has been refused.
 
“A breach of condition notice has been prepared and will be served to stop Minore from importing material and extracting ash. It is an offence if they fail to comply. But this will not prevent them from removing contaminated waste as required by notices served by the Environment Agency. So the public should only see empty wagons entering the site, and leave full of contaminated waste.”
 
The Environment Agency has now issued a revocation notice, which comes into force on 4 July. Revocation 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. 
 
Cllr Ayre added: “We want to secure a long-term future for this site. Minore must take responsibility now and cease operations, clear the waste that should not be there and restore this land for our local communities.”