Notice

Blaydon Quarry Landfill, Newcastle upon Tyne

Updated 3 February 2022

Latest update - 3 February 2022

The Blaydon Quarry landfill site was closed to waste deposits in September 2021.

Following closure, works on site progressed to install the final engineered control measures. This involved the installation of an engineered capping layer across the waste in the final cell (cell 8). The engineered capping layer consists of a welded geomembrane material and a protective geotextile. This work was completed throughout October 2021. Completion of this work now means the entire site is fully capped and therefore no exposed waste remains.

Alongside the capping works the remaining gas extraction wells were installed in the final cell. 29 wells in total were drilled between September and October. These wells were then connected into the existing gas extraction system during November and December.

The combination of the capping and the gas extraction wells should ensure no further odour nuisance is noted from the site. We have seen a marked reduction in odour reports about the site since this work was completed.

Some further work will continue in 2022, including laying the remaining restoration soils and seeding in the spring. Further cosmetic work on site will complete the restoration scheme in line with its planning permission. This work will be overseen by Gateshead Council.

The site operator is required to continue to extract leachate from the site. Leachate is the effluent formed from the breakdown of biodegradable waste. It is pumped out of the base of the site and held in storage tanks before being removed by road tankers. Residents may therefore continue to notice tankers going in and out of the site.

We will continue to regulate the site against its permit. The operator remains responsible for monitoring the site and for the management of landfill gas and leachate. We will periodically inspect the site to ensure this work is being undertaken effectively.

View the most recent images from site

18 August 2021

Blaydon Quarry landfill is nearing completion with work to complete and cap the final cell (cell 8) ongoing over the summer. Work has progressed well with approximately 40,000m2 of the cell now capped and 15,000m2 remaining. Waste inputs have significantly reduced and residents might have noticed a reduction in large waste vehicles accessing the site. The majority of waste coming into the site are soils for restoration purposes.

The capping works are temporarily paused whilst the site operators await the arrival on site of a drilling rig which will be used to drill the remaining gas extraction wells required within cell 8. These works are due to commence during the week of 6 September. The remaining capping works will be completed to align with these drilling works.

In total, 29 new gas extraction wells are due to be installed and this work should take 3 to 4 weeks to complete. Upon completion of this work the gas extraction wells will be connected into the gas system and this, combined with the completed capping work, should eradicate the risk of any further odour nuisance from the site. We will continue to monitor progress closely during these remaining works and will update the website again once complete.

View drone images from site

3 March 2021

Work to complete the final cell on site (cell 8) have progressed well over the winter. It is now nearing completion, with final refuse input expected in May or June. As the final areas of the cell are filled it will become more visible from areas along Lead Road and some areas in Stargate.

Some sections of the cell are already at the completed height. These areas are now ready for the final engineered cap and the final gas extraction system. Work will start in March to install these. Initially the gas extraction wells will be drilled and then the capping work will follow on behind. The capping work involves the installation of a welded plastic membrane which acts to keep odours in and rainfall out.

Progression of these initial works should alleviate any landfill gas odours residents may have noticed recently. In the meantime some additional odour suppression units will be deployed on the site.

Upon completion of the final areas of fill in cell 8 the last sections of cap will be installed alongside the remaining gas extraction wells.

We will continue to monitor progress closely and confirm an exact site completion date as soon as this is more firmly understood.

7 January 2021

Air Monitoring Study 2020 – Stargate

The Environment Agency carried out an air monitoring study using a fixed air monitoring station between January and September 2020. The station was located in the car park of a commercial premises on Stargate Industrial Estate.

The purpose of the study was to continuously measure levels of methane and hydrogen sulphide in a suitable location downwind of the Blaydon Quarry landfill site. The study followed concerns raised by residents regarding odours coming from the landfill site which could be attributable to landfill gas. Methane and hydrogen sulphide were the gases analysed as these are two common constituents of landfill gas and had been recorded in the area previously using hand held equipment.

The study is now complete and a detailed report has been written up. The report is publicly available to read

In summary the report concludes that methane and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) were recorded on occasion above ‘background’ levels. The recorded weather data indicates that this was most common in periods of ‘poor atmospheric dispersion’ (little or no wind). The elevated levels were largely recorded during periods when the wind was blowing from Blaydon Quarry landfill site, although the data does suggest an additional source of H2S exists to the west of the monitoring station. The elevated levels of H2S were compared with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and found to be well below safe limits. However, during 0.01% of the monitoring period, H2S was recorded at a level likely to cause odour annoyance.

We have shared a copy of the full report with Public Health England.

If you have any queries or concerns with the report please contact: northeast-newcastle@environment-agency.gov.uk

8 October 2020

The landfill site operators at Blaydon Quarry are now progressing completion of the final cell, cell 8. This is located close to the Lead Road boundary at the northern end of the site. It is being filled west to east. As it progresses it will get closer to residential areas along Liddell’s Fell Road and the western end of Winlaton. This may mean that site operations are more noticeable during this time.

Additional measures have been implemented across the site to reduce emissions. Further litter netting around the perimeter of the cell has been installed alongside additional odour suppression systems. The first set of permanent gas extraction wells in the cell have also recently been drilled. The drilling of these wells may have led to some additional odour being noticeable during the works.

We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures during this final phase and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to minimise the effect of the site on people and the environment.

Tipping is expected to be completed within a year. This could be completed sooner depending upon waste input rates. We will continue to monitor progress closely and confirm a site completion date as soon as this is more firmly understood.

Once cell 8 is filled, it will also be capped and the gas extraction system completed.

The previously completed cell (cell 7) is now capped and has a full gas extraction system installed. Cell 7 was also the highest point on site. The remaining tipping will get no higher than this cell.

6 August 2020

Midwest Solutions Ltd Permit Transfer Application:

In March 2019 the Environment Agency refused an application from Midwest Solutions Ltd to transfer the landfill permit at Blaydon Quarry. This is because the Environment Agency felt that Midwest would not be able to comply with the permit.

In September 2019 the Environment Agency were notified that Midwest had chosen to appeal the decision to refuse the permit transfer. The appeal was to be heard by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS).

Due to delays following the COVID outbreak and subsequent lockdown the Planning Inspector’s site visit was not scheduled to take place until July this year. On 30 June the Environment Agency were notified by PINS that the appeal had been withdrawn by Midwest Solutions Ltd.

Therefore, the landfill permit remains the responsibility of the current operator Octagon Green Solutions Limited.

Permit Variation Application:

In July 2020 the Environment Agency received an application to vary the permit at Blaydon Quarry landfill. The variation sought to increase the amount of biodegradable waste accepted into the site by 90,000 tonnes per year. The site’s intention to submit this variation was discussed at the last liaison meeting.

The Environment Agency had begun to process the variation and were planning to consult with interested parties to seek their views. On 3 August 2020 the operator withdrew this application.

1 November 2019

In March this year we refused an application to transfer the permit to another operator – Midwest Solutions Ltd. This was because we felt the applicant could not demonstrate that they could comply with the permit. When we refuse a permit application the applicant has six months to launch an appeal. We have recently received notice that the applicant has formally appealed our refusal decision. We will now prepare an appeal statement for the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate will then adjudicate on this matter. This may take a few months and we will publish their decision when known.

Works continue to complete the engineering work on cell 7. The majority of the capping work is now complete, with a small area remaining at the cell’s northern boundary. The capping work has progressed slower than expected due to the inclement weather. It is difficult to install the welded membranes on a saturated surface. This capping work is expected to be completed over the next month.

Twenty four new gas extraction wells have now been drilled and are in the process of being connected into the gas system. This work is expected to be completed over the next week. This should reduce any odours coming from the site.

The last cell on site (cell 8) is now being filled. To assist with the management of odours from the tipping of waste an additional odour suppression system has been installed here. We will continue to monitor the site and the associated engineering works closely and will provide any further updates as required.

28 August 2019

We have recently been receiving an increased number of odour complaints coming from the Blaydon Quarry landfill site. We have investigated these complaints and would like to provide an update.

Operations on the site over the summer have focused on completion of the current active cell 7. This is the closest cell on the site to Stargate. This week waste tipping in this cell has now been completed. The cell is in the progress of being capped, beginning at the Winlaton/Barlow end and working down towards the Lead Road end. The section of the cell that has just been filled with waste is now being covered with a thick layer of soil in preparation for a final cap. The capping work involves the installation of a welded geomembrane which acts to seal in the waste (and any odour) and prevent water ingress. We would estimate these works will take a further 3-6 weeks to complete. Their progress does depend on the weather.

As areas of the landfill site are capped, final permanent gas extraction wells are also installed. On 2 September a drilling rig will arrive on site to complete the installation of the gas wells within cell 7. These will then be connected up to the gas extraction system and used to produce electricity. Drilling gas wells into waste may cause some momentary localised odour. These works combined will act to prevent fugitive emissions from cell 7 and reduce any associated odours.

As part of our investigations, we have also carried out a survey of gas emissions across the active sections of the site (cell 7) using machines which measure both methane and hydrogen sulphide. Methane is the main constituent of landfill gas but is odourless. Hydrogen Sulphide appears within landfill gas in much smaller quantities but contains a notable ‘rotten egg’ odour. Very low levels of both gases were recorded across the cell. We have noted odours associated with the tipping, deposit and compaction of waste on the site. In recognition of this the site operator is installing some additional odour suppression equipment at the tipping area. With cell 7 complete, waste input is now taking place in cell 8. Cell 8 is the final cell on the site. We will continue to monitor the site and the associated engineering works closely and will provide any further updates as required.

24 June 2019

The Environment Agency has received several reports over the weekend regarding strong odours from Blaydon landfill. We have investigated these and the landfill operator has informed us that trespassers on quad bikes had entered the site and damaged gas pipework causing gas odours to escape. The pipework was fixed on Saturday afternoon and we have received no further complaints since then. We are working with the operator to ensure the point of entry is identified and repaired to make the site secure.

26 March 2019

We have recently received concerns from residents regarding the height of the landfill at Blaydon Quarry. As a result we checked the heights using our equipment which measures the ground level and the grid co-ordinates. We recorded measurements at several points across the highest section of the site. The highest section is in the middle of the site within cell 7. Within our permit there is an agreed level which the waste should be tipped to. This is called the pre-settlement level. The pre-settlement level is calculated based on the agreed final restoration levels in the site’s planning permission. The pre-settlement is higher than the final restoration level as the waste will settle over time. The highest pre-settlement level at Blaydon is 123m AOD (above ordnance datum or sea level).

The highest measurement was 127.5m AOD. This was recorded on top of a soil bund, used to position litter netting. This is a temporary feature and will be removed upon completion of tipping in this area. The measurement of 124.3m AOD was recorded on a leachate well, which protrudes from the waste. This is above ground level. The measurement of 123.5m AOD was the waste level. We have instructed the operator to remove 0.5 metres of waste in this area to comply with the pre-settlement level.

We will check these areas again before any final capping layers are applied to ensure they are within the agreed level.

In September last year we received a further application to transfer the permit at Blaydon Quarry from Octagon Green Solutions limited to Midwest Solutions limited.

This application has been carefully assessed by our National Permitting Service and we have decided that the application be refused. This is because we did not have confidence that permit compliance could be achieved by the proposed new operator.

In view of the transfer refusal, Octagon Green Solutions Ltd remains the legal operator of the landfill site and are responsible for permit compliance.

26 February 2019

We have today withdrawn the suspension notice in effect at Blaydon Quarry landfill. This is because the operator have complied with the actions detailed in the notice. As instructed, they have re-profiled the waste deposited in the current tipping area which was too steep. They have also covered this area of waste appropriately. We will continue to monitor the site closely and are investigating this matter formally.

19 February 2019

We have served a permit suspension notice today on the operator of the landfill site at Blaydon Quarry. This notice stops waste being allowed on site, with the exception of soil, until the actions stipulated in the notice are complete. This decision has been taken following a recent investigation into odour coming from the site. We found large areas of waste had been left uncovered and the waste had been deposited in a manner making it difficult to cover. This uncovered waste was causing the odour issues. The notice requires the operator to re-profile the waste and to apply appropriate levels of cover. This work must be completed within two weeks, although it may be completed sooner.

We will be visiting the site to monitor the progress of this work. We are also continuing to investigate the matter formally.

18 February 2019

We have been receiving an increased number of reports concerning odour from the Blaydon Quarry landfill site. Our staff have been investigating this in the surrounding area and on the site.

We have identified issues regarding the covering of waste deposited there.

We are now assessing permit compliance in detail and will update this page as soon as we are able to confirm our course of action.

12 October 2018

We have received a further application to transfer the Environmental Permit to a new operator. We will assess this application to determine if the permit can be suitably transferred.

We will update this webpage with the outcome of our decision.

The Enforcement Notice referenced in our previous webpage update has been complied with as the capping works and gas extraction works described were completed to the correct standard and on time.

We continue to monitor the site in accordance with the permit and, whilst the transfer application is assessed, Octagon Green Solutions Ltd remain the site operator.

Blaydon Quarry Landfill Permit Transfer Application, March 2018

In November 2017 we received an application to transfer the environmental permit at Blaydon Quarry to a potential new operator.

This application has been assessed in detail by our national permitting service with input from staff locally. This assessment has now been completed and we have decided that the application be refused. This is because we did not have confidence that permit compliance could be achieved.

About the landfill

Blaydon Quarry landfill, Newcastle upon Tyne, is operated by Octagon Green Solutions Ltd (Octagon).

Gateshead Council is responsible for granting planning permission. The planning application and accompanying environmental statement are available at Gateshead Council.

Regular site inspections and audits are carried out by the Environment Agency to make sure the permit is complied with.

You can view hard copies of the planning application and accompanying environmental statement at Gateshead Civic Centre and Winlaton and Blaydon libraries.