Wiltshire Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Gibson has stepped up her campaign to tackle the persistent odour from the Hills landfill site, after residents in Calne described the smell as “overwhelming”.
Over the weekend, Ms Gibson said she received hundreds of emails and messages from people affected across Calne and surrounding communities, with many reporting the smell was “inescapable” in their homes and neighbourhoods.
In response, the Chippenham MP has written directly to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging urgent intervention and inviting a ministerial visit to the town to hear first-hand from residents.
She has also submitted a Written Parliamentary Question asking what recent assessment has been made into the cause of the odour, and what steps are being taken to ensure the Environment Agency and local authorities have the resources and enforcement powers needed to identify and address the source.
With Parliament due to go into recess, the move is intended to keep the issue on the national agenda.
Alongside her parliamentary action, Ms Gibson said she has been in contact with Hills Waste Solutions and the Environment Agency to press for updates and ensure monitoring and enforcement are being properly carried out.
She is also arranging a visit to the Lower Compton landfill site to see operations first-hand and meet affected residents.
Ms Gibson said: “Residents have been clear that the smell is overwhelming, distressing and inescapable.
“I am determined to ensure their voices are heard and that every possible step is taken to resolve this issue. No community should have to endure a persistent environmental nuisance of this kind.”
In her letter to the Government, Ms Gibson said the scale of complaints over the weekend highlighted the severity of the problem, adding that while Hills Waste Solutions had been working with the Environment Agency and had introduced infrastructure improvements following previous issues, the odour continued to affect residents.
She said there was a “clear expectation locally” that further action should now be taken to bring the situation under control.
The MP has invited the Environment Secretary to visit Calne alongside representatives from Hills, the Environment Agency, Wiltshire Council and local residents to assess the situation and discuss next steps.
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