A former Calne town councillor is calling for the closure of the Lower Compton landfill following a surge in odour complaints across the town.
Michael Hudston said the issue, often referred to locally as the “Calne Smell”, has worsened significantly over the past year, with nasty niffs now occurring frequently and impacting residents’ daily lives.
He is urging both the Environment Agency and Hills Waste Solutions to take what he described as “decisive action” by permanently closing and sealing the site.
Mr Hudston said the situation could no longer be treated as a temporary nuisance, citing ongoing disruption to residents and concerns about how the landfill has been managed.
He said: “The time for half-measures has passed. What is needed now is a clear, final resolution that puts the health, wellbeing, and dignity of residents first.”
He added: “It is time to close and seal off Lower Compton landfill site once and for all.”
His comments follow a recent update from the Environment Agency, which confirmed it is continuing to investigate a sharp rise in odour complaints in Calne and the surrounding area.
Figures released by the agency show complaints increased from four in November 2025 and none in December, to 16 in January and around 100 in February.
The Environment Agency has said landfill operations can generate some odour but the impact on nearby communities should be minimal. It also acknowledged that recent reports suggest controls “may not be working effectively”.
Local councillors have previously encouraged residents to continue reporting odour incidents to help build an accurate picture of the issue.
Residents experiencing odours are urged to report them directly to the Environment Agency via its 24-hour hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or online.
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