One of Fife’s largest rubbish dumps is in breach of its licence which could be partially suspended if no solution to an “eye-watering” odour is found.
The tip at Lower Melville Wood, near Ladybank, has emitted offensive odours for several months, resulting in its excellent compliance rating being downgraded to poor.
Environment agency SEPA confirmed that meant a breach of the site permit held by operator Fife Resource Solutions, an arms-length company of Fife Council.
Under the terms of SEPA’s enforcement policy the final resort could be partial suspension of the licence.
Exasperated local residents and politicians demanded an end to the ‘Melville pong’ which continues to blight the lives of those living nearby despite attempts to eradicate it.
Howe of Fife councillor Andy Heer said complaints began around a year ago and assurance was offered that action was being taken.
“However,” he said, “the situation hasn’t improved and we still regularly get complaints.”
On a recent car journey on the A91 he said he noticed the smell with the windows closed at Collessie.
He said: “By the time I got to Melville Lodge roundabout, it was almost eye-watering.”
Chris Ewing, chief operating officer of FRS, said the firm was “acutely aware” of its responsibility to operate the facility without causing nuisance and intended to do everything possible to reclaim the excellent rating it had for five years previously.
* For more on this story see Monday’s Fife edition of The Courier, also available as a digital edition.
