AIDAN BURLEY, MP FOR CANNOCK CHASE

HOUSE OF COMMONSLONDON SWIA OAA

John Casey - Site ManagerBiffa (Waste Services) LtdPoplars Landfill SiteLichfield RoadCannock, StaffsWS118NQ

~~ Av c,.~~~l3 April 2013

,I am writing to you further to the ongoing issues affecting my constituents, particularlyresidents of the Newlands Park estate, caused by odours from the Anaerobic Digester atthe Poplars site.

You will no doubt be aware from our earlier discussions that this has been a problemwhich I have been receiving complaints about almost since the AD facility was first putinto operation. Despite all assurances that the problem could be resolved, and despitethe substantial effort and expense Biffa have undertaken to reduce the odour escapinginto the surrounding area, residents have continued to complain to me that the odourissues remain a serious problem.

While I appreciate the efforts that you have taken, it is unacceptable that residentscontinue to suffer. In light of the latest issue, which I understand from the EnvironmentAgency to be a faulty gas bag which will take approximately 12 weeks to replace orrepair, I believe further action must be taken by Biffa to reduce the negative impact onresidents' lives. I am therefore writing to ask you to voluntarily suspend theoperation of the Anaerobic Digester with immediate effect until such a time as allproper, fully-functioning parts can be obtained and fitted.

I am sure you will appreciate that with residents already frustrated by the smellsproduced by the ordinary operation of the plant, the increase in odour they havereported during this present fault is greatly increasing concerns. I understand that this isa major step to take, but I believe that given the length of time residents have alreadysuffered, it is a step which should now rightly be taken by Biffa out of consideration forlong-suffering residents whilst a permanent solution is found.

I thank you in advance for your consideration, and look forward to your response. Ihope you will keep me abreast of any developments or decisions in relation to thismatter.

Yours sincerely,

Ai~~'

House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW 1A OAAEmail: aidan.burley.mp@parliament.uk Tel: 020 7219 7034