Community Update : Lower Compton Landfill Update 17 July 26

Environment Agency officers have been on site at Lower Compton Landfill this week to review the operator's progress against the improvement action plan we requested.

Following the completion of capping works last week, drilling of six additional landfill gas wells began on 13 July and is scheduled to be completed on 17 July (see image). These permanent vertical gas wells have been installed through the newly capped area and are expected to improve gas capture and further reduce emissions from the site.

As with any new system, there will be a short period of stabilisation while the equipment becomes fully operational.

The new wells are connected to the landfill gas management system, allowing methane and other landfill gases to be actively extracted and controlled. To assess the effectiveness of these measures, experienced Environment Agency officers will begin air quality monitoring in August. This monitoring will help determine whether the new infrastructure is reducing odours and improving gas collection.

The Environment Agency will continue to closely monitor the site and carry out regular inspections to ensure emissions remain effectively controlled.

Should odour issues continue following the August monitoring period, we will require Hills Waste Solutions to review and update its action plan to identify any further measures needed.

Separately, works at the Northacre Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility in Westbury have now been completed. Hills has confirmed that the facility is scheduled to reopen on 20 July, meaning waste will no longer need to be redirected to Lower Compton Landfill.

We look forward to welcoming residents and members of the community to our multi-agency drop-in event on Tuesday 21 July 2026, from 4pm to 7pm at Calne Town Hall. This is an opportunity to discuss the recent UKHSA air quality assessment, capping works, gas wells and ongoing activities at the site with representatives from the Environment Agency, UKHSA, Wiltshire Council and Hills Waste Solutions.

We look forward to seeing you there.