Access to illegal waste dump in quarry blocked

A court order has been put in place to prevent the dumping of illegal waste at a former quarry in West Yorkshire.

Access to Calder Quarry in Elland, Calderdale, has been blocked by the Environment Agency (EA) after the order was granted last week.

The EA said it was "coming down hard" on waste crime as part of a 10-point plan.

The agency started its investigation into the site in December 2025, when local residents reported waste tipping at the quarry with odours described as "rubbish and rotting food".

The EA assessment revealed thousands of tonnes of waste had been dumped, with some of it buried.

A number of excavators were also seen on the site.

The restriction order bans waste from being imported onto the site and access to the land is also prohibited, subject to certain exceptions.

Anyone breaching the order is committing a criminal offence, the EA said.

The order was obtained at West Yorkshire Magistrates' Court, sitting at Kirklees, on 3 September and will be in place for six months.

The site is surrounded by residential properties, two schools and a railway line.

A criminal investigation into suspected illegal waste activity is ongoing, the EA added.

Ben Hocking, the agency's Yorkshire Area Environment Manager, said: "Residents should not have to put up with everything that comes with illegal waste dumps, including the awful smells.

"We acted on reports from the community and our inspections confirmed waste was dumped at this site in recent weeks.

"We've taken action to shut it down while our criminal investigation continues.

"As part of our 10-point plan we are coming down hard on those we suspect of being involved in waste crime.

"Where we find evidence of illegal activity, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action."

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