RESIDENTS living near a huge landfill site have vented their anger after learning that site operators have so far escaped prosecution despite 'uncontrolled gas emissions' from the tip.
The Express has received an overwhelming response to the news that Welbeck landfill site failed to control gas emissions, breaching its site permit four times in 12 months.
And residents fear plans to install a generator to recycle harmful gases a
nd produce electricity have been put on the back burner, despite being part of original plans for the site.
Last week the Environment Agency said Welbeck Waste Manage-ment LTD (WWML) had committed to a £250,000 investment to increase ‘gas management’.
But WWML could only say the gas generator was ‘predicted’ to be in place in 2008.
Barney Brennan, of Station Road, Normanton, said: “If I was to empty the contents of my wheelie bin onto the road, if my car emitted uncontrolled, illegal burned gases into the air, or if I smoked in a public building I would be prosecuted. What is the difference between Joe Public and a multi-million pound company?”
Mick Appleyard, of West Lane, Sharlston, said: “I am somewhat amazed at the situation of non-compliance of site permit conditions at Welbeck and the complete failure by the Environment Agency’s legal people to prosecute a firm that is leaving a carbon footprint, not only in Wakefield, but across the globe.”
