Questions over lingering smell at Fife landfill site after cell capped

The smell from a north east Fife landfill site continues to blight the lives of locals, despite the cell being capped, according to a campaign group.
Politicians praised operators for capping the cell earlier than expected.Politicians praised operators for capping the cell earlier than expected.
Politicians praised operators for capping the cell earlier than expected.

Fife Resource Solutions has capped the landfill cell at the Lower Melville Wood Landfill site, two weeks ahead of the deadline, with a new cell now being used.

However, while the Stop the Stick campaign group says overall smell has eased as of late, it says the capping has not stopped the smell.

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“Quite a few people have said that the smell is still an issue,” said group member Neil Brooks.

“The community is still noticing a smell. One person said they were woken up at 6am on Sunday by the smell.

“I want the operators to succeed – but the smell has not gone away.”

Mr Brooks said the group wants to know why there is still a smell, wants plans for another cell to be put on hold, and does not want any more ‘pollution industries’ put in.

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The group, which was set up last year following a public meeting at which residents from surrounding villages shared their concerns about the landfill site, is also calling on the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to step up its enforcement, although Mr Brooks did praise the organisation for its recent reaction.

“SEPA is being more reactive,” he said.

“They have been good with their communications and they have stepped up. They realise there is a big issue here.”

The work by Fife Resource Solutions to cap the cell earlier than expected did earn praise from local politicians.

Councillor Andy Heer said: “I am delighted that the capping has been completed two weeks ahead of the deadline.

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“This is an extraordinary achievement in the current conditions, with over 40 per cent of staff absent due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the team at FRS deserve congratulations.

“Let’s hope that this is an end to the horrendous smell. It is especially important now while people are confined to their houses and wishing to be able to get into their gardens for fresh air.”

MSP Willie Rennie added: “This will be a great relief for local people who have had to endure the overwhelming stench from the landfill site. It was especially important that the cell was capped without further delay, especially as many more people were at home 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the virus. We now need an assurance from FRS and Fife Council that this will not be repeated.”