The company that runs the Erin landfill site at Duckmanton have applied to extend their licence for landfill operation and the town’s MP is urging local residents to ensure their voices are heard as the plans go to a public consultation.

The licence for landfill operations at the site is due to expire in 2021 but Viridor have now submitted a planning application to extend the licence until 2035.

Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield and Staveley, said:

“When I met with Viridor at the site in 2018, following a serious problem with flies in Duckmanton, the company informed me that the plan was to cap and close the site by 2021, so it is disappointing that these plans have changed. The company have explained that they expected the site to be filled by now, but with more people recycling, there is still a significant void at the site and that it makes more sense to finish this site, rather than create a new landfill elsewhere.

There have been some serious pest problems in Duckmanton, as well as issue with smells and I expect that there will be serious concerns within the village at these proposals.

I visited the site again just before the coronavirus lockdown as I had been informed that Viridor were planning to apply to extend their licence. I had pushed the company to make residents aware of what is being proposed and to complete a full public consultation before making an application to extend the licence for the site. I am pleased that they have done as I suggested, and I urge as many residents as possible to make their views known.”

The proposals for the site, together with maps of the landfill and restoration plans, can be seen online at https://erinlandfillconsultation.wordpress.com/. Residents and local businesses can submit their comments on the plans via the website. Viridor will also be sending a leaflet to residents in Duckmanton.