Rotherham tip could lead to golf academy closure

A golf academy set up by a world-class coach and a junior football club could close if a controversial waste tip is allowed to reopen in Rotherham.

The site in Kimberworth was last used as a tip 20 years ago, when it was said to contain toxic industrial waste.

Grange Landfill Ltd has been granted an Environment Agency permit to take in up to 200,000 tonnes of waste per year.

Peter Cowen, who runs a golf academy next to the proposed site, said it would render his land "worthless".

Nearly 1,500 people have signed a petition against the reopening of the tip.

Mr Cowen, who coached stars including Sheffield's Danny Willett and Sweden's Henrik Stenson, has invested £1.7m in his business.

He said: "The land would be worthless and the business would go down, there's no doubt about that.

"There'd be no point in trying to save it if that happens."

Grange Landfill Ltd, owned by husband and wife Martin and Jean Angela Hague, said waste tipped there would be mainly soil and rubble which does not produce landfill gas, attract vermin or flies.

It would be dumped on land next to a capped-off waste site, which contains waste from the coal and steel industries.

Mick Marshall, who runs nearby Millmoor Juniors Football Club, said if the tip opens it could mean his club would have to close.

"The noise, the pollution, it's going to have an impact," he said.

"We want our children to enjoy outside, exercise and fresh air in a safe environment."

Councillor Paul Hague said: "One of the responses we've got back [from the Environment Agency] was that they feel they're under no obligation to consult with anyone."

The Environment Agency told the BBC the permit was only issued after "rigorous assessment of the proposals" and that it would "closely monitor the site".

But despite repeated requests it could not say if it had visited the site before issuing the permit.