Community update: Action being taken at the Hills Waste site, Westbury

We know many people in Westbury and the surrounding area continue to have concerns about activities at the Hills Waste site and the impact these may have on the local community.

The Environment Agency is continuing to regulate the site and take action to ensure it is operated in line with the requirements of its environmental permit. Protecting people and the environment remains our priority, and we are working closely with Hills Waste Solutions to understand and address any issues identified.

Hills Waste Solutions have indicated that in the future they may change from the current Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) activity to a waste transfer activity.

In our experience, waste transfer stations that are appropriately designed and managed, and where waste remains on site for only short periods (typically less than 48 hours), are not normally associated with significant odour impacts beyond the site boundary. Any future proposal would be assessed for the site and the requirements of the environmental permitting regime.

What action are we taking?

As part of our ongoing regulation of the site, we have issued Hills Waste Solutions with a Regulation 61 Information Notice.

A Regulation 61 Notice is a formal legal tool that requires an operator to provide specific information to the Environment Agency.

This forms part of our wider assessment of the site's performance and will help us determine what further improvements or regulatory actions are necessary.

Alongside this, our officers continue to carry out inspections, review site operations and assess information gathered through our regulatory activity.

Why is this important?

We understand that local people want reassurance that concerns relating to the site are being taken seriously.

The information requested through the Regulation 61 Notice will provide us with the detail that we need to assess future activities at the site and whether they are likely to be carried out in accordance with the environmental permit.

Where improvements are needed, we will ensure they are carried out. Where appropriate, we will use our regulatory powers to secure the necessary changes.

Our role

The Environment Agency regulates waste sites to help protect people and the environment.

Our role is to ensure operators comply with the conditions of their environmental permits and to take appropriate action where standards are not met.

We recognise the value of information shared by residents and local stakeholders. Reports from the community can help us understand local impacts and support our ongoing regulatory work.

What happens next?

Hills Waste Solutions must provide the information requested within the timescales set out in the notice.

Once we receive and review this information, we will assess what further action is required. We will continue to monitor the site closely and undertake inspections and where identified require the operator to carry out additional measures to minimise odour.

We remain committed to keeping the community informed and will provide further updates as our work progresses.