The proposed 15 year extension of the landfill site at Newton Leys has been rejected by Milton Keynes Council Development Control Committee at its meeting on Thursday 3 September.
Milton Keynes Council’s Development Control Committee heard an application from the owners of the Bletchley Landfill site which is located off Guernsey Road in Newton Leys. The owners wanted to extend the site by a further 15 years, however labour councillor Emily Darlington raised concerns and called the application in because the 15 year extension would affect both older residential developments and new housing that surrounds the landfill site.
Bletchley Park’s cllr Elaine Wales, said at the meeting:
“When I was growing up in Bletchley, during the summer months especially, we were unable to sit outside or have any windows open as the smell from the landfill site would become unbearable. If the licence extension had been granted it would have meant more of the same for residents in my ward in Bletchley Park and worse for the residents of Newton Leys. Local residents should not have to endure any more issues of bad smells or plagues of flies.”
Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town councillor Ed Hume spoke at the Committee. He said;
“I’m delighted with the decision to reject the extension of the landfill. The local community has put up with the damaging effects for far too long. Thank you to everyone in the community for making objections detailing how the landfill site affects the community. However, these objections will need to be made again for any appeal or future short-term extension applications.”
cllr Elaine Wales, whilst welcoming the decision warned that the company running the landfill site is likely to appeal the decision.
She added, “Whilst the decision to close the landfill site is a good one, we must prepare for any appeal by the operators. I believe the arguments for closure are strong and we will work to ensure that any appeal is challenged and rejected.”
