Halifax Watchlist 125
The Site
On 9 December 2025, the Environment Agency received 2 reports of waste being tipped at this site in Halifax, Yorkshire. Enforcement officers attended and observed approximately 2,500 tonnes of waste had been deposited at watchlist site 125. The site operator was instructed to cease importing waste immediately and to remove the unauthorised waste to a suitably regulated facility. The local authority issued a temporary stop notice. The site is under investigation by the Yorkshire Area Enforcement team for suspected waste offending.
The problem
The waste has been reported to be odorous, with a risk that odour may be present off site and affect local residents.This risk is likely to temporarily increase should the waste be removed.
Residents have expressed concern over the high volume of traffic coming in and out of the site as the approach road is narrow and passes a school. If and when the waste starts to be removed, this is only likely to increase.
Onsite waste also has the potential to produce leachate which could pollute nearby waterways.
The action we've taken
Following the initial site inspection, we instructed the operator to cease accepting waste onto the site and remove the waste already present. We carried out inspections to monitor compliance with partner agencies. The local authority issued a temporary stop notice to immediately halt unauthorised activities. A restriction order, that restricts access to the land, was issued by the court on 3 September 2026.
The criminal investigation into activities at the site is ongoing. We continue to monitor the site and assess environmental risks and are considering waste sampling and analysis.
Proactive communications have been provided to the local MP.