Calne and Westbury update 24 July 2026

Calne

Representatives from UKHSA joined the Environment Agency and Hills for a visit to Lower Compton Landfill site on Tuesday this week ahead of the public drop in event to view completed capping and gas extraction wells and understand how these works will help reduce odours from the site.

Our public drop in event on Tuesday evening at Calne Town Hall was well attended by members of the local community and local elected representatives. Staff from the Environment Agency. Wiltshire Council, UKHSA and Hills were on hand to answer questions and address concerns. The Environment Agency and Wiltshire Council provided handouts as part of the event that can be accessed to the right of this page under Calne Engagement event 21 July.

The gas extraction wells are being stabilised to ensure they are operating effectively. We will carry out daily monitoring from the start of August to assess whether the work has been effective in minimising odour from Lower Compton landfill.

Hills have issued an update on their website today which can be viewed by accessing the link below: https://www.hills-waste.co.uk/news/lower-compton-landfill-and-northacre-mbt-update

Westbury

After a period of closure for maintenance of one of the cranes in the biohall at Northacre MBT plant in Westbury the plant started accepting waste again on Monday 20 July. Work on the biofilters has been completed and the operator is continuing to make improvements detailed in their action plan. Wiltshire Council will be hosting a community drop in event in mid August and representatives from the Environment Agency will be in attendance to talk to residents and the community and answer questions.

We continue to receive a small number of odour reports and have officers in the community undertaking monitoring to see if the works have made the required improvements to on-site odour control.