New inquiry date set for 'putrid smell' waste site

A fresh date has been set for a public inquiry over plans to extend the life of a waste recycling site that sparked hundreds of complaints about a "putrid smell".

Earlier this year, Minore, also known as Mineral Processing Ltd, had its operational permit for the facility in South Elmsall, Wakefield, revoked by the Environment Agency to "protect human health."

The inquiry has been adjourned on two previous occasions after Minore lodged an appeal in August 2025 when Wakefield Council officers refused an application to allow the site to remain open for another ten years.

A Planning Inspectorate hearing is now scheduled to start at Wakefield Town Hall on 30 June and expected to last four days.

An inquiry briefly got under way in November but was adjourned on the opening day at the request of the council.

It followed concerns being raised whether the public had received adequate notice of the hearing.

In March, the inspectorate informed the council that the hearing could not go ahead due to "operational reasons", the Local Democracy Service reports.

The council's original refusal of planning permission came after hundreds of residents complained about a "putrid smell", dust and litter coming from the facility.

The site is a former brickworks now used for the storage of waste and treatment to produce soil and aggregate.

Minore previously appealed against a revocation notice issued by the Environment Agency, but that appeal was dismissed at a hearing in December.

The inspector said they were satisfied that removal of the permit was necessary to prevent pollution risks.

The decision means the company's permit is now invalid and all activities under its terms must cease.

It has also been ordered to remove waste from the site by 2029, and if it does not comply it will be committing an offence.

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