AIDAN

BURLEY,

MP FOR CANNOCK

CHASE

HOUSE
John Casey - Site Manager Biffa (Waste Services) Ltd Poplars Landfill Site Lichfield Road Cannock, Staffs WS118NQ

OF COMMONS
SWIA OAA

LONDON

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l3

~ April 2013

I am writing to you further to the ongoing issues affecting my constituents, particularly residents of the Newlands Park estate, caused by odours from the Anaerobic Digester at the Poplars site. You will no doubt be aware from our earlier discussions that this has been a problem which I have been receiving complaints about almost since the AD facility was first put into operation. Despite all assurances that the problem could be resolved, and despite the substantial effort and expense Biffa have undertaken to reduce the odour escaping into the surrounding area, residents have continued to complain to me that the odour issues remain a serious problem. While I appreciate the efforts that you have taken, it is unacceptable that residents continue to suffer. In light of the latest issue, which I understand from the Environment Agency to be a faulty gas bag which will take approximately 12 weeks to replace or repair, I believe further action must be taken by Biffa to reduce the negative impact on residents' lives. I am therefore writing to ask you to voluntarily suspend the operation of the Anaerobic Digester with immediate effect until such a time as all proper, fully-functioning parts can be obtained and fitted. I am sure you will appreciate that with residents already frustrated by the smells produced by the ordinary operation of the plant, the increase in odour they have reported during this present fault is greatly increasing concerns. I understand that this is a major step to take, but I believe that given the length of time residents have already suffered, it is a step which should now rightly be taken by Biffa out of consideration for long-suffering residents whilst a permanent solution is found. I thank you in advance for your consideration, and look forward to your response. I hope you will keep me abreast of any developments or decisions in relation to this matter. Yours sincerely,

Ai~~'
House of Commons, Westminster, Email: aidan.burley.mp@parliament.uk London, SW 1A OAA Tel: 020 7219 7034