Sarah Champion MP And Labour Councillors Condemn Government Refusal to Step in to Prevent Reopening of Droppingwell Tip

Sarah Champion MP and Labour Councillors Maggi Clark and Tony Browne have condemned the Conservative Government’s refusal to step in to prevent the reopening of Droppingwell Tip in Rotherham.

Work to resume landfill operations continues at the site, which has been inactive for more than twenty years. A permit variation was issued by the Environment Agency in 2016 to allow tipping to resume. Despite having the option to do so, the Environment Agency elected not to consult in any way with local residents, businesses, or the local authority. No notification that a variation was being considered was even provided before the decision was made. Planning permission remains in force having been granted in the 1950s.

Councillor Clark had, with the support of Sarah Champion, written to the Government urging them to use powers available to ministers to discontinue planning permission. However, the Government has confirmed it will not do so.

Commenting, Sarah said:

“That the tip could be permitted to resume landfill operations on the basis of planning permission granted almost 70 years ago and with no consultation whatsoever is outrageous. Opposition to the development is universal and I am hugely sympathetic to the situation facing both residents and local businesses.’

“I have repeatedly raised these issues with the Conservative Government and urged them to use the powers at their disposal, to prevent this awful plan from going any further, either by discontinuing planning permission or by withdrawing the environmental permit. That they have once again refused to do so speaks volumes about their priorities. They have turned their back on the local community.”

Councillor Clark added:

“I am really disappointed that the Government have again declined to act. I have been fighting the reopening of the tip tooth and nail, but the Government simply refuses to back local residents.’

‘But this is not the end of the story. The Council needs to continue to explore every possible option to prevent the tip from going any further and I will continue to speak

up for local residents to ensure that they do so. Together with my colleagues, I will do whatever I can to fight for the local community and to stop the tip.”