Hartlepool Life reported last month on Qualitech Environmental Ltd’s proposals for a new £65million specialist waste treatment and energy recovery facility on land at Tofts Road West on Brenda Road.
Residents in Seaton Carew have previously complained about the “foul stench” coming from Seaton Meadows Landfill (SMLF), which town MP Jonathan Brash described as a “blight on Hartlepool” adding he wanted the site shut down.
People say they do not want yet another waste facility on their doorstep, with the councillor for Hartlepool Council’s Seaton Ward, Sue Little, saying her community was being used as a “dumping ground” with locals enduring “persistent odours from existing sites”.
She said locals were already carrying “more than their fair share of environmental burden” with existing waste facilities.
Cllr Little added: “For years residents have had to endure persistent odours and they affect daily life, wellbeing and the enjoyment of homes. To now suggest that residents would welcome an incinerator handling chemical waste is completely out of touch.”
Resident Graeme Measor added that Seaton Carew was surrounded by former landfill sites and one “massive” active landfill.
“It does not need to be augmented with the addition of a waste incinerator,” he said.
Qualitech is currently holding a consultation before submitting a formal application later this year.
Hartlepool Borough Council said it had to date not received a planning application, but if such an application is received “we will consider it in line with our planning process.”
The Environment Agency previously said it had inspected the Seaton Meadows Landfill site but had not found a source for the smell.
Author: Ian
Reporter and author of Pop Life, covering all things news, music and local events.