‘Cynically timed’ landfill plans slammed as ‘Melville pong’ continues to trouble Fifers

Fife Resource Solutions, which runs the Lower Melville Wood landfill site on behalf of Fife Council, has submitted a plan for a facility for storing and processing Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) – material left over after non-hazardous waste has been combusted.

But residents near the site, which sits just off the A92, say the proposal is “cynically timed”, and worry the facility could lead to an increase in noise and traffic, and could kick up dust.

Monique Sanders, chairwoman of the Giffordtown & District Community Council, said residents, other than those right next to the landfill, had not been given notice of the application, despite the site affecting residents in all the local villages, including Ladybank, Letham and Collessie.

“It’s hardly enough time for a response,” she said.

“We knew the application was coming, just not when. We kept looking out for it, but nothing came through.

“We only found out by chance. One of the owners of the nearby cottages received the neighbour notification. No one did in the nuisance zone.

“Trying to get world round the area at the moment is very difficult.”

All comments of support or complaints have to be sent in to Fife Council before August 12, and Ms Sanders has urged local residents to make their feelings known.

The proposal has also been submitted despite complaints from locals that the operators of the landfill have yet to tackle the smell – the infamous ‘pong’ – which has blighted the area for years.

MP Wendy Chamberlain and MSP Willie Rennie have called for action to be taken, having previously said that the site should be shut if the smell continues.

Mr Rennie said: “We have said before that if the site cannot resolve the issue then they must consider closing until they can.

“If the issue cannot be resolved while remaining operational then other solutions have to be explored and Fife Resource Solutions and Fife Council must not rule out closure of the site.”

Ms Chamberlain added: “It has been encouraging that the smell seemed to have been dealt with in recent months – but is very concerning that it has returned.

“While we appreciate the work that Fife Resource Solutions and the local authority have done to resolve the issue, they must go further.

“Since the smell has returned, Fife Resource Solutions must look into the issue, resolve the matter, and give assurances that there is no return of the smell once it has been resolved in this instance.”

A community campaign, Stop the Stink, was launched late last year following a public meeting at which residents from villages in the area raised their concerns about the smell, citing the impact it had had on their lives, particularly over the last decade.

Robin Baird, chief operating officer, Fife Resource Solutions, which runs recycling services on behalf of Fife Council, said: “We continue to work closely with SEPA and continue to provide updates to the community on a regular basis in regards the work we are doing onsite.

“Despite recent events we have continued to progress with all onsite works at a pace and will continue to do so over the coming weeks.”