Residents near Fleetwood landfill report severe health issues

Ian Durn and Christine Butterworth are a couple facing a serious issue with a nearby landfill site in Fleetwood, England. They say the unpleasant smell from Transwaste landfill has turned their dream retirement into a "living nightmare." Ian, 73, describes the smell as overwhelming, while Christine, 83, struggles with her breathing due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The couple moved to Fleetwood 15 years ago from Scarborough. They have been dealing with the terrible odor since February 2024. Other residents are also complaining about a rotten egg smell. Christine explains that she wants to open her windows for fresh air but can't because of the smell. She describes it as "more chemical than organic." Mr. Durn explains that the smell comes on suddenly, saying, "It just hits you." On one occasion, Christine noticed the smell while visiting her hairdresser. She experienced coughing, headaches, and dizziness. When the smell becomes too strong, they flee to their old home in Scarborough, but they feel this shouldn't be necessary. Transwaste has stated that it has stopped waste deliveries and is working to address the odor issue. They plan to cap a section of the landfill with clay and install gas extraction wells. The Environment Agency has received a significant increase in complaints about the smell, rising from 21 in December to 1,125 in February. They are conducting daily checks and inspections at the site and plan to take action if conditions do not improve.