More than 1,000 tonnes of sewage sludge have been discovered stored in an uncovered stockpile at a landfill site near Doncaster, prompting enforcement action from environmental regulators. According to BBC News, the waste was identified during an inspection by the Environment Agency (EA) on 9 October at the facility in Finningley, operated by Tetron Finningley Ltd.
Lee Pitcher, Labour MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, raised the alarm after being informed of the storage practices at the landfill, which occupies a former quarry. The EA confirmed it had identified compliance concerns and issued a series of corrective actions for the site operator to implement.
During the 9 October inspection, EA officers documented that approximately 1,000 tonnes of sewage sludge were being held externally in an uncovered stockpile. The regulator also identified concerns about whether site activities were being conducted in accordance with the operating techniques and management arrangements set out in the facility's approved documents. According to the Doncaster Free Press, the Environment Agency's 20 October compliance report required Tetron to revise its Odour Management Plan, improve management systems, and change how sewage sludge is stored and handled.
Pitcher said the EA gave the landfill operator until 10 November to resolve the identified issues. He subsequently contacted the EA again to raise additional concerns about potential asbestos disposal at the site and the air quality and environmental ramifications it could bring.
The discovery comes as the neighbouring Doncaster Moto Parc motocross track has remained closed since 25 September following complaints from visitors and staff about foul odours emanating from the landfill. Ed Bradley, a director of the venue, reported that people attending the track had suffered from headaches, nausea and general malaise linked to the smells from the neighbouring site.
Bradley stated in a Facebook post:
For months, we have raised concerns about the terrible odours coming from the neighbouring site, the effects on our staff and customers, and our inability to operate safely. Despite those reports, the situation has continued. Unfortunately, while the authorities have been investigating, the financial consequences for Doncaster Moto Parc have been devastating. We are now facing the very real possibility of losing the business altogether.
Staff at Moto Parc have sought medical attention and reported chest and throat discomfort, with the business losing thousands of pounds during the closure. The venue has indicated it has no reopening date yet and will only resume operations when it can do so safely.
During its inspection, the EA detected a sewage-like odour beyond the landfill boundary at Doncaster Moto Parc. The regulator also reviewed the site's approved Odour Management Plan and Environmental Management System as part of its assessment.
What are the regulatory concerns?
The Environment Agency has made clear its expectations for odour management at the facility. An EA spokesperson stated:
We expect site operators to manage odour effectively and have identified issues around odour management at this site. Following an inspection, we have set out a series of actions that we expect the operator to comply with and will not hesitate to take further enforcement action should that be required.
The landfill's permit was amended in 2022 to allow the operator to accept hazardous asbestos, adding to concerns about the range of materials being processed at the site. Pitcher's subsequent inquiries about asbestos disposal practices reflect growing worry about the full scope of operations at the facility.
What happens next?
Tetron Finningley Ltd has until 10 November 2026 to complete the corrective actions specified by the Environment Agency. The regulator has indicated it will pursue further enforcement measures if the operator fails to comply with the required improvements to odour management, storage practices and operational procedures.
Doncaster Moto Parc remains closed pending resolution of the odour issues. The business has signalled it will only reopen once conditions at the neighbouring landfill have improved sufficiently to allow safe operations.
Key Facts
- Approximately 1,000 tonnes of sewage sludge were found stored in an uncovered stockpile at Tetron Finningley Ltd's landfill site on 9 October
- The Environment Agency identified concerns about compliance with approved operating techniques and management arrangements
- Doncaster Moto Parc has been closed since 25 September due to odours from the landfill, affecting staff and visitor health
- The landfill operator must implement corrective actions by 10 November, including revisions to its Odour Management Plan
- The site's permit was amended in 2022 to allow acceptance of hazardous asbestos waste
