Withyhedge Landfill Decision

Overview

Withyhedge Landfill permit variation approved with stronger environmental protections

We’ve approved a permit variation application for Withyhedge Landfill (01 October 2026) following a detailed and rigorous assessment of technical evidence and environmental risks.

The variation has secured strengthened environmental controls at the site, providing improved regulatory oversight of landfill operations.

It includes enhancements to landfill gas and leachate management, cell completion and ongoing monitoring requirements, strengthening regulation of the site and protection for the environment and local communities.

The decision follows careful consideration of a significant number of responses received during our public consultations, including submissions from local residents, community groups, elected representatives and other stakeholders.

The approved changes to the permit include:

Revised permitted pre-settlement levels.

Enhanced management and monitoring arrangements for groundwater, surface water and leachate.

The addition of up to 50,000 tonnes of suitable waste soil and stone per year under a new Waste Recovery activity to support restoration of the site in line with a restoration plan approved in writing by NRW.

We took this opportunity to consolidate and modernise the permit, including a review of existing Improvement Conditions and Pre-operational Conditions.

We recognise the significant impact previous odour issues experienced at Withyhedge Landfill have had on local communities and understand the concerns expressed throughout the consultation process.

We carefully reviewed all consultation responses and the issues raised have informed our assessment. However, environmental permit decisions can only be based on matters that are relevant to the legal and regulatory framework governing the permit.

This means that:

Decisions must be based on technical evidence and environmental law.

The number of responses received, whether supporting or opposing an application, cannot determine the outcome.

We can only consider issues that fall within its regulatory remit, such as emissions, monitoring, pollution control and environmental protection.

Wider concerns that fall outside the scope of environmental permitting legislation, such as traffic issues, cannot legally be used as grounds to refuse an application.

We will continue to closely regulate and monitor the site and will take enforcement action where there is evidence of non-compliance with permit requirements.

Our investigation into environmental permit breaches is on-going and is being conducted separately by the Industry Regulations team.

Full details of the permit variation decision, including our decision documents, consultation response summaries and assessment reports, are available on the public register.

Consolidated Permit: https://publicregister.naturalresources.wales/Search/Download?RecordId=217110

Variation Notie: https://publicregister.naturalresources.wales/Search/Download?RecordId=217111

Decision Document: https://publicregister.naturalresources.wales/Search/Download?RecordId=217109

Consultation information (prior to decision) Consultation information (prior to decision)

Resources Management U.K. Ltd have submitted an application to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to change its environmental permit for Withyhedge Landfill (permit number EPR/MP3330WP).

This change, termed a ‘variation’, is a legal requirement under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2016.

We have assessed the proposed changes and are minded to grant the permit variation.

Application details

Application reference: PAN-025929

Permit number: EPR/MP3330WP

Application type: Substantial variation

Address: Withyhedge Landfill, Bowling Farm, Rudbaxton, Haverfordwest, SA62 4DB

Operator: Resources Management UK Ltd

The operator has proposed the following changes their permit:

Revised restoration levels
Modified management and monitoring program for groundwater, surface water and leachate
The addition of 50,000 tonnes of waste soils per year for restoration under a new Waste Recovery activity
Consolidation and modernisation of the permit, including a review of existing Improvement Conditions and Pre-operational Conditions

Our draft decision

We are minded to grant the permit variation. We will only grant a permit variation if we believe that significant pollution will not be caused, and the operator has the ability to meet the conditions of the permit.

The permit includes appropriate conditions to protect human health and the environment.

We are seeking your comments on our draft decision and have launched a four-week public consultation.

You can provide comments on our draft decision by taking part in our consultation, linked at the bottom of this page.

We understand this site has been of particular interest to the public and local community. Because of this we have enhanced our communication efforts by launching an online consultation through our Consultation and Engagement Hub.

This is your opportunity to review our draft decision and submit your comments. We will take all relevant responses into account before we make our final decision on the permit application.

Please see Natural Resources Wales / Public participation: how you can take part in our permit and licence consultations for more information on how we consult and what matters are within our regulatory remit.

You can view the following draft documents below and answer the short survey to take part in the consultation.

Draft permit