Border landfill site under close monitoring after smell complaints

CUMBERLAND Council is working with partner agencies in monitoring the operation of a border landfill site to the north of Carlisle after concerns were raised by local residents.

It was discussed by councillors at a meeting in Carlisle on Tuesday.

Longtown Councillor Tim Pickstone “The council will be aware of the significant impact on local residents of the recent increase in activity at Hespin Wood landfill, following its takeover by a new operator in summer 2025 – with complaints about noise, smell, litter and increased HGV traffic.”

He asked Cllr Denise Rollo what representations Cumberland Council has made to the Environment Agency (EA) , what use the council is making of its own planning enforcement powers, and whether the council is monitoring the reported increase in waste being imported from Scotland following the Scottish landfill ban.

Responding, Cllr Rollo said the council fully recognised the strength of local feeling about activity at Hespin Wood landfill and the impact that noise, odour, litter and HGV movements could have on nearby communities.

She pointed out the EA leads on permitting, compliance and operational controls at licensed landfill sites and the council had been actively responding, working closely with regulatory and enforcement partners with which they had shared intelligence and resident complaints.

The EA continued to engage constructively with the local authority to ensure concerns were fully understood and investigated.

In addition, she revealed the council’s minerals and waste planning team had ‘increased the frequency of monitoring visits’ to this landfill site, including unannounced visits and inspections carried out in conjunction with the EA.

Also, several monitoring reports and formal letters to the operator had been issued which clearly specified actions that need to be taken to address identified non-compliances with the site’s planning permission.

The councillor added: “There is a clear message that waste crime will not be tolerated.”

Cllr Pickstone asked for assurances on enforcement action where needed and was told they would adopt a ‘zero tolerance approach’.