§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints have been received by the Environment Agency concerning smells from the Elvaston Landfill site in Derbyshire since October 2000; and if she will make a statement. [17305]
§ Mr. MorleySince October 2000, the agency has received 189 complaints in respect of smells from the Elvaston Landfill site.
I am aware that the site was affected by the serious flooding across the country that occurred on 7 November 2000. The Environment Agency is working with the licence holder to ensure that human health and the environment are protected. As a result of the odour problems, a notice was served on the site operator on 19 November 2001 under section 42(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requiring the operator to provide the agency with a plan for controlling leachate from the site. The operator complied with notice by the deadline set by the agency, who are in the process of reviewing the proposed plan.