Closure of a rubbish dump, so smelly it is blighting the lives of neighbours, should be considered, according to the local MP.
Lower Melville Wood landfill site near Ladybank emits such a stench residents nearby who have suffered for years have formed an action group called Stop the Stink Fife.
North East Fife MP Wendy Chamberlain said people should not have to put up with the odours any longer from the tip operated for Fife Council by Fife Resource Solutions.
Fellow Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie, the area’s MSP, has already stated the smell is so severe temporary closure should be contemplated.
Mrs Chamberlain said: “Local residents have been dealing with this for too long already to be asked to deal with it until Fife Resource Solutions and the local council can source and resolve the issue.
“Even in the short time since I was elected last month, residents have raised concerns with me about the smell coming from the landfill site.
“The strength and spread of the smell is now having such a negative impact on local residents that it is surely time to consider closing the site until the issue can be resolved.”
Fife Resource Solutions told a public meeting in December the smell was caused by biodegradable waste in the active part of the dump, which is almost full with two years’ worth of rubbish.
It has already tried to quell the smell but was given another warning by environment agency Sepa for a breach of its licence conditions in October.
Mrs Chamberlain said: “While we appreciate the work that Fife Resource Solutions and the local authority are doing to resolve this issue we hope that they can go further and ensure that there is no return of the smell once it has been resolved.”
Robin Baird, chief operating officer of Fife Resource Solutions, confirmed the council company had met with community representatives to update them on work and was to welcome them on site to see for themselves.
He said: “We want to work with the communities involved and have offered to further meet with local people and businesses monthly.
“We work to the highest standard and are currently accelerating work on capping the present site, and installing a new gas well to further reduce the odours.
“Sepa is the environmental regulator of this site and is reviewing our improvement plan. Once Sepa has approved the plan we will publish it.”
