Extension to landfill site operations refused

Waste management company Biffa says it will consider its options after councillors refused to extend the life of its Roxby landfill site in North Lincolnshire.

An application to extend operations until May 2037 was rejected by North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee at a meeting on 11 March.

It heard the landfill site, off the A1077 Winterton Road, had a history of odour complaints from nearby residents.

A Biffa spokesperson said the firm was exploring the planning appeals process.

An application for an extension for the site's restoration by May 2042, as well as an extension for use of the adjacent railways sidings, were also rejected.

Councillor Elaine Marper said residents had endured "obnoxious odours" for decades, adding: "Extending the landfill operation period will exacerbate existing environmental issues."

Councillor Chris Patterson added: "The people have suffered long enough."

In 2021, the Environment Agency issued Biffa with a formal warning over the odour issues, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Biffa's planning manager, Mary Tappenden, acknowledged residents' concerns, adding: "We fully accept that historically there have been issues on this site."

However, she said without the extension there would be "a significant void in the site and an unacceptable landform".

A Biffa spokesperson told the LDRS: "We are disappointed that the committee chose to go against the recommendation to approve the two applications needed to extend the timescale for restoring the site and to continue using the rail sidings to bring materials to the site.

"The former quarry is partially filled with waste, and infilling the site must be completed to achieve the appropriate landform."

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