Public inquiry over South Elmsall waste site extension postponed for second time

A Planning Inspectorate hearing into the facility in South Elmsall was due to start at Wakefield Town Hall on March 17.

Operator Minore lodged an appeal in August last year after Wakefield Council officers refused an application to allow the site to remain open for another ten years.

The decision came after hundreds of residents complained about a “putrid smell”, dust and litter coming from the facility.

The inspectorate has informed council that the hearing could not go ahead due to “operational reasons” and was likely to be re-scheduled for June or July.

An inquiry briefly got underway last November but was adjourned on the opening day at the request of a barrister representing the council after concerns were raised as to whether the public had received adequate notice of the hearing.

Philip Robson said there were concerns that site notices had not been displayed at site at least 14 days in advance of the hearing.

Last week, Minore, also known as Mineral Processing Ltd, had its operational permit for the site revoked to “protect human health.”

The company previously appealed against a revocation notice issued by the Environment Agency

A hearing was held in December where its appeal case was dismissed.

The site is a former brickworks now used for the storage of waste and treatment to produce soil and aggregate.

The inspector said they were satisfied that removal of the permit was necessary to prevent pollution risks.

The appeal’s conclusion means Mineral Processing Ltd’s permit is now invalid and all activities under its terms must cease.

The company has also been ordered to remove waste from the site by 2029, and if it does not comply, will be committing an offence.

As operator, it remains responsible for managing pollution and odour impacts.