Between 09 April 2025 and 20 August 2025 we used a mobile monitoring facility (MMF) to monitor air quality data in the local area. The report from this monitoring can be found here South Elmsall main report
Our monitoring report includes information regarding measured concentrations of the gas hydrogen sulphide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published guidelines relating to potential impacts from hydrogen sulphide. The guidelines relate to levels above which substantial reports about odour annoyance can be expected and a level at which direct health impacts may occur.
Comparing the collected data from our study with the WHO guidelines showed that measured hydrogen sulphide concentrations were low compared to the health related guideline value but frequently exceeded the level above which substantial reports about odour annoyance would be expected.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reviewed our monitoring report and produced an update that includes a risk assessment and advice. The full update can be viewed here UKHSA Health update for South Elmsall
Planning Inspectorate Update
On 2 March 2025, the Planning Inspectorate announced that they have dismissed the appeal that Mineral Processing Ltd made against our decision to issue a revocation notice at their South Elmsall site. We have been pleased to note that the Planning Inspectorate agrees with our decision, based on thorough evidence collected by our teams.
The Inspector stated that they were satisfied that revocation of the Permit is reasonable and necessary in the circumstances to protect the environment and human health, including from actual pollution and ongoing risk of pollution.
This means that our revocation notice is now in force. The full appeal decison document can be viewed here Appeal Decision
What does this mean?
Revocation means that the permit is cancelled and the operator must cease all activities allowed by the permit and take the steps set out in the revocation notice regarding removal of waste from the site. The Operator also remains responsible for appropriately managing odour impacts from the site. If they do not comply with the notice, they will be committing an offence.
The notice requires all waste from the regulated facility to be removed by either:
removing it to an appropriately permitted facility;
removing it to an exempt waste operation in accordance with the terms of that exempt waste operation; or
a combination of the above.
The date by which these steps are to be completed is 31 August 2029.
We will continue to closely monitor activity at the site and expect the Operator to comply with the steps set out in the revocation notice.
During January 2026, we received 202 reports of odour from this site. We have been out on site performing proactive odour monitoring in the affected areas. During these inspections, we have detected odour at a level that was deemed to be causing pollution outside of the permitted boundary of the site and we have recorded this as a non-compliance of the permit.
If you are affected by odour in the South Elmsall area, please contact our 24 hour incident hotline on 0800 8070 60 to provide details of the incident or visit Where is the smell coming from - report a smell from a waste facility, industrial site or farm in England - GOV.UK.
We are also aware that there has been some recent activity at the site. Even though the permit is currently suspended to prevent more waste inputs we cannot restrict any site-based activity that does not include the import of waste. However, we do not suspect that these activities are causing the current increase in odour reports.
We are aware that HMRC has issued a winding up petition against Caird Peckfield Ltd, the operator of Peckfield Landfill, Micklefield. This winding up petition was advertised in the London Gazette today, Friday 6 February 2026 and can be viewed online CAIRD PECKFIELD LIMITED | Petitions to Wind Up (Companies) | The Gazette
The environmental permit for the site is still in place and being operated by Caird Peckfield Ltd. We are monitoring developments and continuing to actively regulate the site.
Our priority is for the operator to comply with the environmental permit and to carry out the required actions to bring the site to closure.
We have received an application for Peckfield Landfill site to transfer the permit from Caird Peckfield Ltd to Peckfield Restoration Ltd. This would transfer the environmental permit to a new operator. Our permitting service is currently assessing this application. We will provide further updates on this as the application progresses.
The existing environmental permit for the site is still in place and being operated by Caird Peckfield Ltd. We are monitoring developments and continuing to actively regulate the site.
Our priority is for the operator to comply with the environmental permit and to carry out the required actions to bring the site to closure.
You can now view Compliance Assessment Report (CAR) forms from our inspections at regulated sites online through our Public Registers Online page.
Mineral Processing Ltd appealed against our revocation notice for this site on 3 July 2025. The Planning Inspectorate hearing took place on 9-10 December 2025 and will decide whether the appeal will be upheld or rejected.
We are currently awaiting the outcome of this hearing. If any members of the public would like to see publicly available documents from the hearing, these can be requested by contacting enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Mineral Processing Ltd appealed our decision to issue a revocation notice for their site on 3 July 2025.
The permit will now stay in place until the Planning Inspectorate has announced the outcome of the appeal.
A Planning Inspector has been appointed, and the Hearing is scheduled to take place at 10:00am on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 December 2025.
The Hearing will be held at Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel, Thorpe Lane, Badsworth, WF9 1AB.
Members of the public may attend the Hearing and, at the discretion of the Inspector, express their views.
We noted the request from local councillors to hold the Hearing in South Elmsall, but we were unable to find a suitable venue that was available. The capacity for this venue is 80 seated with additional standing room available.
Please note there is no ‘hearing loop’ available at this venue. If you are disabled and concerned about facilities at the venue, please contact Aled Thomas at the Environment Agency (aled.thomas@environment-agency.gov.uk) to confirm that suitable provisions are in place.
There are many things that smell strongly but have no direct harmful effects to health. However, as the human nose is very sensitive, some strong smells can be really unpleasant and people report suffering stress and anxiety or otherwise feeling unwell, for instance feeling sick, dizzy, having headaches. This is even though the substances causing the smells are not harmful to health.
Other short-term health effects reported as a result of strong odours include irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. People who have health conditions that affect breathing, such as asthma, may find symptoms more severe or long lasting. When exposure is reduced, the symptoms usually reduce or go away too.
We know in very hot or cold weather having windows or doors open or shut has an impact, and realistically making sure the balance between odour reduction and maintaining a comfortable temperature will be something individuals will need to manage themselves.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice on limiting the effects of odour during hot conditions:
We recommend that residents:
- keep doors and windows closed when odour levels are noticeable to stop the odour from entering
- draw curtains to limit direct sunlight heating-up internal surfaces
- use fans to recirculate air within the house to help keep cool
- set any air conditioning (preferably fitted with a HEPA filter) to recirculate mode
- take a break from the heat by moving to a cooler part of the house
- open windows when the air feels cooler and when the odour reduces to get air flowing through the home,
Further information on actions you can take to stay safe in hot weather can be found here Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather - GOV.UK
Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you have concerns about your individual circumstances, feel unwell or require health support.
Mineral Processing Ltd have appealed our decision to issue a revocation notice for their South Elmsall site to the Planning Inspectorate.
The permit will now stay in place until the Planning Inspectorate has announced the outcome of the appeal. The suspension notice, however, will remain in place during this time. The suspension notice prevents more waste being brought onto the site and requires the removal of waste that is in breach of the permit conditions. If the operator does not comply with the suspension notice, they will be committing an offence. We will continue to monitor compliance with the suspension notice.
