The site operator is currently filling the final waste cell on site and installing horizontal gas wells to begin capturing gas from newly deposited waste. This is an important step in controlling landfill gas emissions.
In December 2025, the operator has arranged for permanent gas wells to be installed in the previously filled cell to enhance long-term gas collection. While this work is necessary, it may result in a temporary increase in odour during the drilling process.
The onsite gas plant continues to burn captured landfill gas, helping to reduce odour and carbon emissions while supplying approximately 1 MW of electricity to the grid. These activities form part of the operators ongoing obligations to manage gas and odour in line with their permit requirements.
We are working closely with the site operator and the local council to monitor progress and ensure that environmental standards and permit conditions are being met. We continue to carry out regular inspections to monitor progress and ensure compliance.
We have received an increase in odour reports over May and June 2025. We have carried out site inspections and/or undertaken off-site odour assessments on 14 occasions in June 2025. Officers have detected odour in the local area, which drifts on the wind, and is most likely to affect residents living downwind of the site. The odour has variously had a sewage-like smell, a bin waste-like smell, and an effluent/chemical-like smell.
We have had further discussions with Plasgran Ltd (PL) about odour sources on the site. Our regulatory work continues to focus on odourous processes and the appropriate measures necessary to comply with the permit.
We have completed an audit of the Wastewater Treatment process. In July 2025 we will carry out an audit of other operations at the site, which have potential emission points that might lead to off-site odour.
We have received fewer fly reports in comparison to previous years. Fly numbers appear well controlled by PL on the site, with minimal numbers. Weekly fly reports from PL confirm what we see during site inspections. We will continue to monitor this situation.
The review of the permit is continuing. An inspection of the site, required as part of this process, has taken place.
We will continue to carry out announced and unannounced site inspections and audits, and regular off-site odour assessments.
On Thursday 12 June officers from the Environment Agency and partners from West Mercia Police, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) took part in a joint initiative to tackle illegal waste activities in the Pershore and Peopleton areas of Worcestershire.
The aim of the day was to stop illegal waste disposal at non-permitted locations, identify those responsible for depositing the waste and to deter others from doing so in the future.
Two vehicles were seized as part of the operation and several others were stopped to check their waste transfer notes and carriers licences, condition of the vehicles, insurance details and operators licences.
Alan Kerr Environmental Crime Team Leader said:
Working in a proactive partnership with other law enforcement agencies and officers from local authorities is the most effective way to disrupt and deal with waste criminals. This operation has shown the effectiveness of this approach and goes towards not only tackling waste criminality in the Pershore and Peopleton areas of Worcestershire but also throughout the United Kingdom.
Further horizontal wells have been installed in the current active cell, to enable gas capture from the newly deposited waste.
Construction of the latest cell is ongoing and progressing well. The gas plant has had one new engine and continues to burn the captured gas to generate electricity and reduce carbon emissions. This ongoing work will reduce gas release and odour. We continue to carry out regular visits and odour tours.
Construction of new cell - May 2025
