The Environment Agency (EA) has successfully obtained an injunction against Himley Environmental Ltd, a landfill operator whose sites have been deemed to pose a risk to pollution and human health. The company operates two regulated facilities at Oak Farm Quarry and Oak Farm Quarry North-East on Crooked House Lane in Dudley.
The injunction, granted at Birmingham’s High Court of Justice on September 24, requires Himley Environmental Ltd to take necessary measures to prevent landfill gas from “freely venting to air” and to secure the sites to prevent any potential harm to human health. The EA described the landfill sites as “insecure,” emphasizing the associated risk to human safety.
The order addresses multiple concerns, including gas management, surface water management, leachate monitoring, and site security. The injunction demands compliance with a series of enforcement notices issued to mitigate the risks posed by the landfill sites.
An EA spokesperson said, “This action demonstrates that the Environment Agency will take robust action against operators who do not comply with the conditions of their environmental permits.
Additionally, the EA has warned the public to avoid accessing these landfill sites for their own safety, as the conditions at the locations are hazardous.
The legal action underscores the importance of environmental compliance for regulated operators and highlights the EA’s commitment to ensuring the protection of the environment and public health.