Latest news with #landfill
BBC News
29 minutes ago
- Business
- BBC News
Former landfill site in Farnham earmarked for redevelopment
A council is asking people for ideas about how best to transform a former landfill site in site in Weydon, Farnham, served as a landfill from the 1950s until the 1980s when it was closed and sealed with clay to minimise its effect on the Borough Council said the clay covering required extensive repairs, but that it hoped to open a new park at the site by can share their ideas about what should be done to the site, known locally as Brambleton Park, through an online survey until 13 July. Councillor Mark Merryweather, the council's portfolio holder for finance, assets and property, said: "We are still in the early stages of planning, but now is the ideal opportunity for local residents to have a direct influence on the future direction of the project."Over the years, many ideas have been suggested for this site but transforming a former landfill into a genuine and sustainable community space is no small task."We have completed extensive environmental assessments and now we're eager to engage with the community and gather their valuable input."The council has suggested ideas such as an outdoor gym, a café, a children's playground or even a cycling pump track for the 10-acre results from the survey will be used to form a business case. If this is approved by the council, initial plans for the site will be copies of the survey are also available at Farnham Town Council in South Street.
CTV News
8 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Dresden landfill fight: What options are left if Bill 5 becomes law?
Dresden residents hope to halt the reactivation and expansion of a long dormant landfill just north of town. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor) With a controversial provincial bill expected to pass at Queen's Park this week, residents of Dresden and municipal officials in Chatham-Kent are doubling down on their opposition to a landfill proposal tied to the legislation. Bill 5, the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,' would allow Ontario to exempt select infrastructure projects from full environmental assessments. Among them is a dormant landfill site on Irish School Road in Dresden that York1 Environmental Solutions hopes to revive as a construction and demolition materials recycling facility. The community has long pushed back against the plan, and as the bill inches toward becoming law, many are now asking: what options are left? 'There's not a whole lot that the municipality can do from a legal perspective,' said Windsor-based municipal consultant Melinda Munro. 'But they seem to be doing a lot of useful things from a political perspective.' Munro said the key now is sustained pressure — not just from Chatham-Kent council, but from residents and aligned groups across the region. 'Keep up the political pressure,' she said. 'Join up with communities of interest. There are others besides the municipality — the community itself, local businesses and First Nations — who may be like-minded and have different legal tools available to them.' York1 maintains the project has been mischaracterized. The company says the site would not be a traditional landfill and would only accept non-hazardous construction materials, adding it has been transparent and previously received municipal support — a claim Chatham-Kent officials firmly deny. A statement from Mayor Darrin Canniff last week said the municipality 'does not support this project' and accused York1 of attempting to 'dress it up' under a new brand, Sustainable Dresden, without addressing prior concerns. 'We will continue to fight to ensure Dresden is not used as a dumping ground,' Canniff said. Wendy Vercauteren, a leading voice among residents opposed to the project, said there's still hope Queen's Park will revise the bill to remove the landfill clause entirely. 'I guess you could say the way I'm feeling right now is hopeful — that we've sent a strong enough message to Queen's Park,' she said. 'I'm hoping they'll use their conscience and vote no to Bill 5 — or at least yes to amendments that remove our schedule from it.' Vercauteren said she's reached out to provincial and federal officials, including the Prime Minister's Office and the Minister of Environment. 'We will not give up,' she said. If the bill passes, Munro said the next phase is about close scrutiny and constant pushback. 'One of my favourite law professors said, 'Make it sporting for them,'' she explained. 'Every time the province takes an action, make sure they're dotting their Is and crossing their Ts — and challenge them on every single minor flaw.' She said even if the bill becomes law, it's not a done deal. 'That landfill still has to get built. The minister has promised a thorough environmental review based on the previous assessment. The MPPs in the region are saying, 'We're going to hold you to that,'' Munro said. Munro also noted that political overreach in Ontario has sometimes been walked back when public resistance becomes too strong. 'We've seen this before,' she said. 'They make very aggressive moves and then pull back because they overshot or overestimated the community support.' For now, the community of Dresden is leaning on unity — and resolve. 'This one situation has pulled everybody together,' said Vercauteren. 'Different political views, different walks of life, all on the same page saying this cannot happen. That's amazing, especially for a small community like this.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cambridgeshire firefighters tackle Wilburton landfill blaze
More than 20 firefighters were called to tackle a large landfill site Fire and Rescue Service was called to the site on Pools Road in Wilburton near Witchford at 17:58 BST on from Ely, Chatteris, Cottenham and Soham, along with a water carrier from Ramsey, attended and worked throughout the night to extinguish the inspections took place throughout Friday and an investigation into the cause is ongoing. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Val Verde residents say nearby toxic Chiquita Canyon landfill is making them sick
The Brief The Chiquita Canyon Landfill has been closed since January. Acres of garbage are burning deep inside the landfill. Nearby residents say their health has been negatively impacted by the toxic fumes and liquids coming from the facility. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - After FOX 11 got a look inside the now-closed Chiquita Canyon Landfill in the Castaic area, residents in Val Verde invited us to visit and see first-hand the health troubles the community is facing because, they say, of the landfill. What we know Assemblymembers Pilar Schiavo, Juan Carrillo and Anamarie Avila Farias, and Congressman George Whitesides visited with Val Verde residents on Friday. The community is right next to the landfill, which stopped taking in garbage in January. What they're saying Residents are grappling with health problems they blame on the toxic fumes released by the landfill. PREVIOUS: FOX 11 tours Chiquita Canyon landfill The other side Chiquita Canyon officials deny that emissions are causing the problems they're describing: things like rashes, nosebleeds, nausea, respiratory ailments and cancer. Chiquita offered a community relief program when the reaction was first acknowledged, but has since stopped the program. Residents say they need relocation funds, because their homes are unsellable. What's next Schiavo is working on multiple pieces of legislation she hopes will solve the issue. AB28, the Landfill Safety Act, would strengthen oversight and impose large penalties to fund relief and relocation for the communities impacted by the landfill. AB27, the Chiquita Canyon Tax Relief Act, would ensure that families who received relief funds would not face tax penalties. Val Verde residents, though, say legislation takes time, and they don't have that luxury. The Source Information in this story is from interviews with Val Verde residents and Chiquita Canyon officials, and previous FOX 11 reports.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Final call for extended hours and free brush disposal at Barrie landfill
Saturday is the final day for Barrie residents to be able to dispose of brush and yard waste at the landfill free of charge. The City waived disposal fees for residential brush and yard waste following the ice storm in March to help residents manage the amount of debris that piled up, but that comes to an end tomorrow. Starting Saturday, regular disposal fees will apply once again to all materials. Also ending is the extended landfill hours, which was adjusted following the ice storm due to demand. Saturday will mark the last time the Ferndale Drive landfill will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., following May 31, it will return to its regular operating time of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents are also reminded that the city is offering one last chance to pile storm-related debris at the curb for collection. Residents must have debris curbside no later than June 1 to guarantee pickup by crews making the rounds between June 2 and June 7.
