Home / Environment / Westbury Whiff: MP Demands Waste Plant Closure
Westbury Whiff: MP Demands Waste Plant Closure
17 Aug
Summary
- MP calls for waste plant closure due to persistent "Westbury Whiff" smell.
- Residents endure closed windows and unusable gardens due to the odor.
- Wiltshire Council cites unaffordable costs for early contract termination.
Conservative MP Dr. Andrew Murrison has called for the immediate closure of a waste plant in Westbury, citing long-standing complaints about a pervasive "whiff" odor. Residents near the Hills Waste Solutions' Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant have reported significant distress, including being unable to open their windows or use their gardens, especially during recent heatwaves.
Approximately 60,000 tonnes of household waste from Wiltshire are processed annually at the Northacre MBT site. The plant converts waste into solid recovered fuel for renewable energy generation. The Environment Agency has taken action, previously threatening legal proceedings against Hills Waste Solutions following 275 complaints in 2025.
Wiltshire Council acknowledged that early termination of the contract with Hills Waste Solutions has been considered, but deemed the associated costs as "simply unaffordable." The situation remains a significant concern for local residents, with a drop-in meeting scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, to provide further information.
