'We shouldn’t be driven out our homes': 'Overpowering' 'putrid' smell from Walsall landfill site

Dozens of people have taken to social media to post about the stench of the Highfields landfill site off Walsall Road, Shelfield.

Back in 2016 planning permission was granted for an extra nine years to fill and restore the site, even though it was scheduled to finish that year.

Residents voiced concerns and a petition with 88 signatures was handed to Walsall Council but the extension was approved.

One resident, Natalie Gallagher, posted online this week saying: "I’m sure I’m not the only one who is suffering the the horrendous eggy gas smell coming from the Walsall Wood landfill site at the moment.

"We get this smell on and off in waves when the weather changes but just lately the smell has been so bad it’s coming into our home mostly through the night even when the doors and windows are shut.

"We live almost half a mile from the site so goodness knows how it must be affecting those closer.

"For the last two days me and my husband have woken up feeling sick.

'Putrid'

"There seems to be a lot of mixed stories. Repair, broken pipes, drilling but whichever it is it’s been going on far too long I’ve lived at this property 2.5 years now and since I’ve lived here it’s been getting steadily worse and worse.

"I’ve got candles burning in the house and can still smell it and have got to physically go out this morning as I can’t stand smelling it any longer.

"We shouldn’t be driven out our own homes."

Helen Peake added: "I was out for an early run this morning and it’s quite overpowering sometimes really catches the back of your throat."

And Lu Badger said: "I have to remember to shut off my heaters when I go past in the car but the smell still comes in.

"It's putrid, I almost threw up in my car the other day. The smell wouldn't go away until I was in Pelsall!"

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency has received an increased number of odour reports from the Walsall Wood area recently.

"We are currently investigating the source of these odours and working with companies that we regulate in the area to determine the cause.

"To help us with our investigations, we’re encouraging local people to report odour issues via our hotline on 0800 807060, we respond 24 hours a day.”