Following a public meeting between the three bodies on 26 February, they are working together to “achieve progress” in resolving community issues regarding the landfill.
A string of complaints have been made about odour from the site, owned by RML.
Erin Smyth-Evans, industry regulation team leader for South West, NRW, said: “NRW is continuing its on-site inspections to ensure the site operator is moving forward effectively in its work to cap the cell, where we have identified the most probable source of the odour.
“Work onsite is progressing daily and we anticipate noticeable reductions in landfill gas emissions and odours in the coming weeks.”
Air quality
The public bodies are working with the site operator to monitor air quality in response to increasing health concerns from the local community. Results are expected to start being received mid-March, at which stage Public Health Wales has said it will provide further advice accordingly.
Dr Giri Shankar, director of health protection for Public Health Wales, said: “We recognise that local people are under strain and are very concerned about the impacts of odours around the Withyhedge landfill site.
“While Public Health Wales is not the lead agency for matters like this, we are working very closely with NRW to make sure the situation is improved quickly to reduce the impact on local people.”
Advice
Shankar continued: “Our current advice to local residents is that odours and emissions from this site may be harmful to health, and that they should keep doors and windows closed when the smells are present and seek medical advice if necessary. We hope this situation can be quickly improved.”
Rhys Sinnett, Pembrokeshire county council cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “I assure you a lot of work is continuing in the background and all public bodies have reconfirmed their commitment to ensuring a long term solution to the problems as soon as possible.”
NRW has requested that instances of odour from the landfill be reported here.
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