Withyhedge landfill operator seeks to increase waste limit by 50,000 tonnes
Campaigners call for permit reduction instead, warning trust has been 'shredded'
THE COMPANY behind Pembrokeshire's controversial Withyhedge landfill site has sparked outrage by applying to increase the volume of waste it is allowed to receive by an extra 50,000 tonnes per year.
Resources Management (UK) Limited (RML), the operator of the privately-run site near Dreenhill, has submitted an application to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) seeking a formal variation to its existing environmental permit.
Currently, the site is authorised to accept up to 250,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste annually. The proposed increase would allow a further 50,000 tonnes specifically for what RML describes as a new 'waste recovery activity'.
RML wants a formal variation to its existing environmental permit
NRW confirmed this week that the additional material would be used solely for 'engineering and capping' purposes—namely, restoring the site using soil-based materials. According to the regulator, RML has depleted its on-site stock and now needs to import external material to continue these works.
But campaigners say the timing and nature of the request are unacceptable, given the site's recent history.
Colin Barnett, a founder member of the campaign group Stop the Stink, said: 'We will be taking part in NRW's consultation and will be insisting that rather than increasing the waste accepted, NRW should decrease it by 50,000 tonnes.'
'This whole saga began because they rammed waste they should not have accepted into that landfill. Until they can be trusted to manage the site professionally, the answer must be no to any increase.'
Mr Barnett and others have criticised NRW and Pembrokeshire County Council for what they view as premature scaling back of oversight, after the multi-agency Incident Management Team (IMT) and Air Quality Group were both stood down earlier this year.
The IMT had been established in 2023 following a major public outcry over emissions from the landfill. Residents across Haverfordwest, Merlin's Bridge and beyond complained of overpowering smells and health impacts linked to Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S), a gas that smells like rotten eggs and can cause nausea, eye irritation and headaches.
One local described the site at the time as 'a stink bomb on steroids.'
Campaigners have been complaining about the landfill for years
The site was temporarily closed in May 2023 and only reopened in January this year after NRW confirmed that RML had completed all required compliance works. Despite this, odour complaints have continued, including a flare-up in Haverfordwest earlier this month (May 1), prompting further public anger.
PCC later stated that no landfill-related odours were detected during its investigation of those complaints, while air quality monitoring at Spittal School has reportedly shown no exceedances attributable to the site.
NRW says it remains committed to unannounced inspections and that its investigation into previous breaches is ongoing.
'We recognise the high level of public interest in this landfill,' said a spokesperson. 'We will be enhancing our communications as part of the upcoming consultation. Further details will be shared in due course.'
But campaigners remain sceptical, warning that trust in the operator—and in the regulators—has been 'shredded.'
'We would like to reassure residents that unlike NRW and PCC, we are still monitoring the landfill's activities closely,' said Mr Barnett.
'People's lives were turned upside down last year. You can't just forget that because the wind changes direction for a few weeks.'
Have your say: Residents wishing to comment on the application can do so during NRW's public consultation, details of which are expected to be released shortly.
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