Comedian Lucy Beaumont 'so pleased' as Walleys Quarry shut

Comedian Lucy Beaumont says she is 'so, so pleased' for families affected by Walleys Quarry after the controversial landfill site was slapped with a closure notice. But the personality has revealed how a donation she made to a resident hoping to move away ended up being used for a hot tub.

Her post on X came after the Environment Agency issued a closure notice for the 'smelly' Silverdale landfill. That came after years of protests from fed-up families who cited the impact it had been having on their health and wellbeing.

StokeonTrentLive reported yesterday how the order means Walleys Quarry cannot accept any new waste from Friday 29 November. It must also permanently cap the remainder of the site and install further infrastructure to prevent the smells.

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As yesterday progressed, the operator said it would challenge the notice. But campaigners, who had staged numerous protests at the gates of the site have been celebrating the landmark step from the EA.

Meanwhile Lucy took to X to speak of her delight for families - and reveal how she had made a donation which ended up being used to buy a 'hot tub'.

She wrote: "I’m so so pleased for the residents of this area! I got a solicitor's letter to shut my mouth about it! I’m sorry it’s taken so long, even pleased for the lady I gave money for a rental deposit to move house with and she bought a hot tub instead!"

However she appears to have seen the funny side and when one user asked if she'd been invited to use it, Lucy replied: "Was so funny! Couldn't bloody believe it!"

What the Environment Agency has said

Environment Agency officer Ian Jones said: "We have every sympathy with the local community and have worked tirelessly to resolve the problem of landfill gas emissions from the site. In doing so, we have taken a robust approach to regulating Walleys Quarry.

"Our aim has always been to bring the operator into compliance with its permit and the decision to issue a closure notice is not one we take lightly. We have given Walleys Quarry sufficient time to put in place effective measures to manage emissions and it has failed to do so."

What politicians have said

Simon Tagg, leader of Newcastle Borough Counciol, said: "The Environment Agency is the main regulator for this site and for far too long this authority has been urging it to act on behalf of a community under siege.

"Complaints to the council about the foul gas odours have soared this year, already more than double the whole of 2023, and I hope that this action by the EA is the first step to a permanent solution for our residents. I would encourage residents to carry on reporting the foul smells every time they happen to both the council and the EA.”

The borough council has been taking legal action against Walleys Quarry LTD. Councillor Tagg added: "We remain committed to doing all we can to help residents within our powers and will take account of this evolving situation.”

Newcastle MP Adam Jogee uploaded a video to his Facebook page following the news. He said: "Today is a good day for the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Finally, finally, finally, the closure notice has been issued to Walleys Quarry Ltd.

"For all those people who for far too long have had to deal with the smell, and the odours, and the horrendous life experience that the quarry has caused - thank you. Thank you to everybody who has campaigned in the rain, the sleet, and the snow.

"Thank you to everybody who has reported to the EA, to me, to the council, and for ultimately fighting to stop the stink, so thank you. And tomorrow the work goes on to make sure that we properly, safely, securely, restore the site. That will be my focus. As your MP I'm looking forward to leading on that work on your behalf in the months, weeks and days ahead."

What Walleys Quarry has said

A Walleys Quarry spokesman said: “We have received a closure notice from the Environment Agency. We are clear that keeping the site open delivers the greatest benefit and sustainability for the site. We will challenge this decision using all available options. Walleys Quarry has made extensive factual and legal submissions to the Environment Agency which in our view they have not substantively engaged with. As a business we completely reject the accusations made by the Environment Agency relating to poor management of the landfill site.”

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