Odour Response in Calne 10 July 26

Following on from yesterday’s air quality monitoring update, we would like to provide an update on this week’s progress at the Lower Compton Landfill and the actions being taken to address odour concerns affecting communities in Calne and the surrounding area.

This week, the Environment Agency visited Lower Compton Landfill to review site operations and progress against the action plan required by the Environment Agency. We can confirm that all permanent and temporary capping works have now been completed ahead of schedule. Hills has also confirmed that additional landfill gas wells will be installed from 13 July to increase gas capture and further reduce emissions from the site. The site operator has shared an update on the works here: https://www.hills-waste.co.uk/news/northacre-mbt-lower-compton-landfill-and-ukhsa-report

As outlined in our update yesterday on the publication of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Public Health Risk Assessment, monitoring data collected by the Environment Agency supports findings from our inspections and off-site odour assessments. The ambient air monitoring station remains in place and will help us to establish whether the work currently being completed by Hills is minimising landfill gas odour. We will carry out our assessment in August, once the installation of the permanent gas infrastructure has been completed.

As previously communicated, waste that would normally be processed at the Northacre Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility in Westbury continues to be redirected to Lower Compton while maintenance works are completed there. We have emphasised to Hills the importance of managing this waste appropriately and minimising any impact on local communities. Hills has confirmed that all additional waste diverted from Northacre MBT is being landfilled immediately to reduce any potential impact. Hills have shared that they expect the MBT plant will restart from Monday 20 July.

The Environment Agency will continue to regulate the site closely and carry out inspections and off-site odour assessments to monitor the effectiveness of the measures implemented. We will continue to work with Hills Waste Solutions, Wiltshire Council and UKHSA to ensure appropriate action is taken where necessary.

As previously announced, a multi-agency community drop-in event will take place on 21 July 2026, from 4pm to 7pm at Calne Town Hall, where residents can discuss the recent air quality assessment and ongoing work at the site with representatives from the Environment Agency, UKHSA, Wiltshire Council and Hills Waste Solutions.

Environment Agency staff monitoring at the Lower Compton site Jul 26