West Midlands Regulated Industry

We regularly receive enquiries about our work and this page contains information about our regulation of sites that we have received the most interest about. On the right-hand side of this page you will find information on high interest sites within the West Midlands area. This includes frequently asked questions and answers regarding our work, inspection updates and latest news. If you are interested in a site that is not listed here, please email our customer and enquires team Enquiries_Westmids@environment-agency.gov.uk. (This page will be subject to change, reflecting the level of interest in the sites that we regulate).


Permitted Sites

In the West Midlands (WMD) area, we regulate a large number of permitted sites, including factories, mines, landfills and agricultural producers. The Environment Agency’s role is to assess compliance with the permits and to take appropriate regulatory action if our officers identify any breaches. The Environment Agency expects the operator of any permitted site to use appropriate measures to control potential amenity impacts.

The Environment Agency regulate in accordance with its Enforcement and Sanctions policy and by reference to the Regulators’ Code. You can find further information about how Environment Agency officers assess environmental permit compliance here Waste operations and installations: assessing and scoring environmental permit compliance.


Waste crime and illegal waste sites

Waste crime is a scourge on our communities and we are committed to tackling it.

The Environment Agency is actively combating waste crime in England, focusing on illegal dumping, burning, shipping, and other illicit activities. We use various methods to prevent waste crime, including investigations, enforcement actions, and collaboration with other agencies such as the police. 

There are often several activities involved in waste crime which breach different areas of law all at the same time. As such it’s difficult for one organisation to deal with illegal waste activities alone. That’s why the Environment Agency works together with our partners to proactively agree and carry out joint actions to tackle this issue.

In 2024/5, the Environment Agency successfully stopped activity at 743 illegal waste sites, of which 143 were high risk. Our enforcement officers also prevented nearly 34,000 tonnes of waste from being illegally exported.

Tackling waste crime often involves complex, lengthy investigations to build cases that stand up in court. We understand the frustration this can cause for local communities.

We urge anyone who suspects waste crime to contact our 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 807060 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Reporting an odour. To Report an odour please call 0800 80 70 60 or visit our webpage. hhtps://www.gov.uk/report-smell

We regularly receive enquiries about our work and this page contains information about our regulation of sites that we have received the most interest about. On the right-hand side of this page you will find information on high interest sites within the West Midlands area. This includes frequently asked questions and answers regarding our work, inspection updates and latest news. If you are interested in a site that is not listed here, please email our customer and enquires team Enquiries_Westmids@environment-agency.gov.uk. (This page will be subject to change, reflecting the level of interest in the sites that we regulate).


Permitted Sites

In the West Midlands (WMD) area, we regulate a large number of permitted sites, including factories, mines, landfills and agricultural producers. The Environment Agency’s role is to assess compliance with the permits and to take appropriate regulatory action if our officers identify any breaches. The Environment Agency expects the operator of any permitted site to use appropriate measures to control potential amenity impacts.

The Environment Agency regulate in accordance with its Enforcement and Sanctions policy and by reference to the Regulators’ Code. You can find further information about how Environment Agency officers assess environmental permit compliance here Waste operations and installations: assessing and scoring environmental permit compliance.


Waste crime and illegal waste sites

Waste crime is a scourge on our communities and we are committed to tackling it.

The Environment Agency is actively combating waste crime in England, focusing on illegal dumping, burning, shipping, and other illicit activities. We use various methods to prevent waste crime, including investigations, enforcement actions, and collaboration with other agencies such as the police. 

There are often several activities involved in waste crime which breach different areas of law all at the same time. As such it’s difficult for one organisation to deal with illegal waste activities alone. That’s why the Environment Agency works together with our partners to proactively agree and carry out joint actions to tackle this issue.

In 2024/5, the Environment Agency successfully stopped activity at 743 illegal waste sites, of which 143 were high risk. Our enforcement officers also prevented nearly 34,000 tonnes of waste from being illegally exported.

Tackling waste crime often involves complex, lengthy investigations to build cases that stand up in court. We understand the frustration this can cause for local communities.

We urge anyone who suspects waste crime to contact our 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 807060 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Reporting an odour. To Report an odour please call 0800 80 70 60 or visit our webpage. hhtps://www.gov.uk/report-smell

  • Granville Landfill - May 2025

    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

    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

  • Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre Limited - April 2025

    On 31 March 2025 we issued a suspension notice (“the Notice”) in respect of the waste transfer station permit (EPR/WE2469AA only). The Notice suspended the site from being able to accept any waste with effect from 01 April 2025. The Notice currently remains in effect.

    The Notice also requires SWRCL to reduce the volume of waste on site so that waste is stored in line with the requirements of its approved Fire Prevention Plan. The EA is monitoring compliance with the Notice by way of regular drone flights and site inspections.

    We have met with SWRCL and their legal team and clearly defined what measures they must now take.

    Our regulatory actions are focussed on ensuring SWRCL returns back to compliance within its permit. SWRCL must complete the actions required by the Notice before 6 June 2025. The EA will continue to ensure the Notice is complied with and that steps are taken to reduce volumes of waste.

    On 31 March 2025 we issued a suspension notice (“the Notice”) in respect of the waste transfer station permit (EPR/WE2469AA only). The Notice suspended the site from being able to accept any waste with effect from 01 April 2025. The Notice currently remains in effect.

    The Notice also requires SWRCL to reduce the volume of waste on site so that waste is stored in line with the requirements of its approved Fire Prevention Plan. The EA is monitoring compliance with the Notice by way of regular drone flights and site inspections.

    We have met with SWRCL and their legal team and clearly defined what measures they must now take.

    Our regulatory actions are focussed on ensuring SWRCL returns back to compliance within its permit. SWRCL must complete the actions required by the Notice before 6 June 2025. The EA will continue to ensure the Notice is complied with and that steps are taken to reduce volumes of waste.

Page last updated: 06 May 2026, 10:57 AM