The landfill site lies to the south and east of the airfield. Most of the landfill site falls within the neighbouring parish of Hill and Moor, but a small area to the north east lies within Throckmorton parish.
It was initially operated by the District Council but is now operated on behalf of them by a private concern, and has expanded considerably. It is a key main waste disposal and material recycling facility for the county and beyond.
The site is run on modern lines with a strong emphasis on recycling and methane is harnessed to generate electricity for the national grid.
In the ‘Hot Topic’ questionnaire, around 7% of the comments concerned the Landfill Site. It is also the third most important issue for Throckmorton and Tilesford households; not surprisingly given its proximity to Throckmorton.
Concerns included issues of the ongoing management and monitoring of the tip, ensuring contractors clean up, restricting hours of opening, suggesting that reducing fees might lead to less fly-tipping, etc.
The second largest group of comments were about the future of the tip. There was general anxiety about its development. Better screening was suggested; as was maintaining vigilance about expansion and support for landscaping. At the parish consultation meetings there was general support about the plan to landscape the site progressively as it is filled, with development of areas of wetland for wildlife.
The Parish Plan survey sought to establish the degree of nuisance to parishioners generated by the landfill site and its operation. As far as noise and nuisance resulting from birds (seagulls) and vermin were concerned, most households reported only slight or no nuisance. Throckmorton households that reported problems with noise and vermin, whilst still a minority, were a sizeable minority (27% and 29% respectively).
There have been frequent complaints about flies, blamed on the landfill operation. This has been investigated on more than one occasion and the offending flies found not to originate from the landfill. Nevertheless, the majority of households complained of some, moderate or severe nuisance associated with flies.
As for vehicle movements, smell and appearance, and wind blown rubbish, respondent households were pretty evenly divided between those complaining of some degree of nuisance and those reporting none or only minor occurrences. Throckmorton residents did show a clear majority finding the vehicle movements, and to a lesser extent, wind blown rubbish, a nuisance.
In many respects the landfill site and it operation are viewed benignly by Bishampton and Throckmorton residents. Anecdotally, there is some evidence that the early landscaping is seen as pleasing and beneficial to the parishes. Also contributions from the Landfill Tax Credits have significantly helped and are continuing to improve local facilities.
The Hill and Moor Landfill liaison group brings together operators, local parish and district councillors and residents from the parishes that ‘host’ the landfill site to discuss operating issues which are important to the communities. This meets quarterly, and considers, amongst other issues, reports of smell, increase in flies etc. Since the parish survey was carried out, the operators have improved their operation for spraying against flies and this would seem to have had a quite beneficial outcome.
Regular liaison about the operation of the landfill site to ensure prompt recognition and response to problems will continue.
Action: Parish Council, the Hill and Moor Landfill liaison group.