‘Enough is enough!’ Residents demand action over Westbury waste facility

More than 120 residents packed into The Laverton to demand action over the ongoing smell from Westbury’s waste treatment centre. 

The venue was packed for the drop-in meeting on Monday 17th August, with some residents unable to reach the front of the room as they questioned representatives from Hills Waste Solutions, Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency. 

Residents expressed frustration that years of complaints over ongoing smells from the Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant, run by Hills Waste, had not resulted in an acceptable solution, with calls for it to be shut down. 

Those in attendance included Westbury MP Andrew Murrison, who said the turnout was indicative of the strength of feeling in the town and that “enough is enough”. Westbury town councillors and Wiltshire councillors were also at the session, which was held to address ongoing concerns from residents about the MBT plant and its odour. 

Residents also spoke to the White Horse News about the impact of the smell, with one saying it makes them feel ill and another describing suffering from a sore throat, watering eyes, nausea and headaches.

See below for comments from residents, councillors and representatives at the meeting.