Statement on Erin Landfill Site

Derbyshire County Council’s Regulatory Planning Committee met today to decide on Viridor’s application to extend landfill operations at the Erin Landfill Site, which was subsequently granted. I have attached a copy of the statement of concerns I submitted to the Committee, which was read out at the meeting.

Whilst it was always likely to be approved, I appreciate that residents in Duckmanton will be disappointed, particularly when they had been previously informed that the site would be closing by the end of last year and fully capped and landscaped by 2022. However, since those assurances were given to me, Viridor was purchased by another company who changed their plans.

It is welcome that future landfill operations will be moved much further from residential properties, and I am keen to see the completed areas nearer to the houses in Duckmanton landscaped and brought into public use to create a far greater wedge between the houses and the site. It will be beneficial to the area to have a clear ‘green wedge’ between Duckmanton and the site. I am looking to meet with Viridor soon to discuss this and other mitigation that can be put in place to reduce the impact the site has on residents.