Locals say that their homes – in the shadow of the UK’s largest waste incinerator in Runcorn, Cheshire – are overrun by vermin and they can’t escape due to plummeting house prices
People living next door to the largest waste incinerator in the UK say they can’t escape after their house prices plummeted.
Each year, millions of tonnes of rubbish are burned at the £462million Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) in Runcorn, Cheshire. The plant – which started operations in 2015 – has become the bain of local life with residents complaining of noise, vermin and poor air quality.
While lawyers representing local householders claim they’re suffering from a number of issues, including sleep deprivation and asthma, the plant operator, Viridor, says noise and odour levels adhere to those set out by the Environment Agency.
Viridor has already been forced to stump up £1million to 180 aggrieved locals. In exchange for the settlement, they were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements, reports the MailOnline.
There was a group of locals who rejected the deal and spoke of the “hell” they’re living in, and can’t even sell their home to escape.
Resident Mandy Royle told the publication: “My home is now worthless so why would I accept £4,000. It does not solve my problem[…]
“The truth is that nobody wants this next to their home, that is why I can’t sell my house. There is no escape for me now. It’s been hell from day one really. The air stinks and my breathing has deteriorated. We have rats prowling around night and day, dragging things around and leaving big teeth marks. Horrible really.”
Mandy believes her home is now worthless and that the £4,000 sum offered is not enough, considering the effect its had on her house price.
Another local business owner, George Parker, also refused to sign the contract and said that though he no longer noticed the putrid smell, it puts his customers off when they arrive at his body shop.
Just like Mandy, he said he refused to sign because a “few thousand pounds is no good to me”, describing the compensation as a “pittance”.
He added that the vermin is also a major concern, claiming to have “fought running battles with rats”. George said he is particularly concerned about mums with children in the area.
A Viridor spokesperson said: “We are heavily regulated by the Environment Agency in terms of noise and odour and remain within permitted levels. We receive very few complaints, but any that we do receive are fully investigated and feedback is provided to residents through the local liaison forum.”
When asked to discuss the legal action, a Viridor spokesperson added: “We will not be making any comment in relation to the resolution of this dispute. Matters of this nature are generally confidential for all parties, so Viridor is unable to provide you with further information in relation to the conclusion of the proceedings.”
