Community Drop-In Event in Calne: Addressing Odour Concerns with the Environment Agency

The Environment Agency is organising a multi-agency community drop-in event at Calne Town Hall on Tuesday, 21 July, from 4pm to 7pm. This event will take place in collaboration with partners from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Wiltshire Council.

Recently, the UKHSA has finalised and published a public health risk assessment based on data gathered by the Environment Agency’s mobile monitoring facility within the Calne community. Residents will have the chance to engage with representatives from these agencies to discuss the findings of this assessment, particularly in relation to ongoing odour issues in the area.

Findings from Ambient Air Monitoring

The ambient air monitoring data generated by the Environment Agency, which has been examined in the public health risk assessment, indicates the presence of hydrogen sulphide and methane originating from the direction of the Lower Compton Landfill Site. This discovery corroborates earlier inspections and off-site odour assessments, reinforcing the Environment Agency’s regulatory decisions. Notably, these decisions have included instructing the operator, Hills Waste Solutions, to expedite capping works and modify their odour management strategies.

Ben Shayler from the Environment Agency commented, “This drop-in event will provide residents with the opportunity to understand the regulatory measures we are implementing with respect to Hills and to pose questions to the involved agencies. We have undertaken extensive actions to compel Hills to mitigate the odour source, and these works are now nearing completion. Our oversight of the site will remain rigorous to ensure the effectiveness of these measures.”

Health Impacts and Community Concerns

Lucy McCann, a consultant in health protection at UKHSA, added, “UKHSA has assessed the Environment Agency’s report and produced an independent public health risk assessment. While there is no evidence of a toxicological risk, there is significant evidence of odour annoyance. Individuals may respond variably to the hydrogen sulphide (H2S) odour, with some exhibiting heightened sensitivity.”

Residents living in proximity to the landfill site might experience temporary symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, watery eyes, nasal congestion, throat irritation, and coughing. Those with existing respiratory conditions could be particularly vulnerable, and some residents may also face sleep disruptions and increased stress levels. For personal health concerns, individuals are advised to consult their GP for guidance.

Ongoing Regulatory Actions and Responsibilities

The Environment Agency is tasked with regulating the landfill site and ensuring adherence to the conditions set out in its environmental permit. As the environmental regulator, it has taken significant steps to compel Hills Waste Solutions to tackle the odour source impacting the Calne community, with these improvement works now nearing completion. The Agency will continue to monitor the site diligently and will pursue further enforcement actions if necessary to uphold permit compliance and reduce environmental impacts.

Wiltshire Council holds the primary responsibility for investigating odour nuisances and spearheading public health initiatives, with the support of the UKHSA. The Environment Agency remains committed to collaborating closely with both organisations throughout this process.

Details of the Community Engagement Event

The upcoming community event will feature representatives from the Environment Agency, UKHSA, Wiltshire Council, and Hills Waste Solutions. The Environment Agency will address queries regarding air quality monitoring, its methodologies, and overall site regulation. The UKHSA will provide insights into the technical aspects of their assessment, while Wiltshire Council will be present to respond to relevant questions and concerns. A representative from Hills Waste Solutions will also be available to discuss the modifications they are implementing.

Access to Further Information

For those interested in the details of the assessment, the full UKHSA public health risk assessment, along with an executive summary, can be found on the Engagement HQ website. Additionally, the agencies have compiled a Questions and Answers (Q&A) document designed to elucidate the findings and address potential queries residents may have regarding the public health risk assessment.