Walleys Quarry Abatement Notice Update
Former Supreme Court Justice, the Right Honourable Lord Carnwath of Notting Hill, led a mediation process which has resulted in Walleys Quarry Limited withdrawing their appeal against a statutory nuisance abatement notice served by the Council for odour nuisance in the town.
A court order ratifying an out of court agreement has today been issued by District Judge Grego sitting at North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court.
Lord Carnwath said: “I am pleased to confirm that Walleys Quarry Limited and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have today agreed to settle upon terms to enable the company to withdraw its appeal against an abatement notice issued by the Council on 13 August 2021. Walleys Quarry Limited acknowledge that the site has been the source of community complaint, and the Council acknowledge that Walleys Quarry Limited have improved their operational practices such that odour emissions have recently reduced significantly, and best practicable means are currently in place.
“The terms of the agreement reached by the parties ensure that an abatement notice will remain in place and require best practical means to prevent any repetition so far as is reasonably possible of any statutory nuisance and provide for ongoing reporting to give continuing assurance to the community.”
Nigel Bowen CEO of Walleys Quarry LTD said “Walleys Quarry Ltd is pleased to have reached a level of mutual understanding and agreement through a mediation process with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. As a direct result of this, we have now withdrawn our appeal against the abatement notice issued to us in August last year.
This development comes as a result of constructive and fact-based discussions between the parties. We welcomed the approach of the Council and their commitment to seeing a positive outcome to this process. This outcome delivers the best possible result for the community in establishing committed co-operation between Walleys Quarry Limited and Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council allowing us to move forward together in the best interests of those residents living and working around the quarry.
We look forward to a more collaborative future with a greater level of understanding on both sides and an arrangement through which we are able to demonstrate our actions and commitment to measures which maintain existing controls and further reduce emissions at the site.”
