We, the residents and business owners of Hyndburn, Lancashire, demand immediate and decisive action to address the appalling and hazardous conditions caused by the Whinney Hill Landfill, operated by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd.

Since October 2023, thousands of gulls have overrun our community, defecating daily on homes, gardens, vehicles, businesses, schools, and even people themselves. It has become impossible for residents to enjoy their own outdoor spaces, while businesses suffer from contaminated products and premises.

Adding to our concerns is the ongoing avian flu lockdown in England. With this unchecked influx of birds, the risk of disease spreading among our community is alarmingly high, and yet no effective action has been taken.

However, the problems do not stop there.

A COMMUNITY UNDER ATTACK
Toxic, nauseating gas and foul odours from the landfill are penetrating homes and businesses, even with doors and windows shut.
Hundreds of lorries transport waste to the site daily, bringing dust, filth, and unbearable traffic congestion to our roads.
Infestations of flies in summer have tormented residents, while rats are now being reported by those living closest to the tip face.

The Environment Agency’s monitoring has achieved nothing—the problems persist, and SUEZ UK has completely failed to get the situation under control.

Despite repeated complaints, residents have largely been ignored and dismissed. The so-called "expert" pest control measures SUEZ UK claims to have implemented have done nothing to stop the gulls, flies, or rats from overrunning our community.

To further exacerbate the problems for those impacted by this site, Lancashire County Council has finalised an agreement to continue using Whinney Hill Tip until March 2026, giving four councils in the east of the county 12 months' extra breathing space to sort out the disposal of their waste to landfill. This would allow Hyndburn, Burnley, Rossendale and Pendle councils more time to make alternative arrangements to dispose of non-recyclable rubbish further impacting HYndburn residents and businesses.

OUR DEMAND:
We call on Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to immediately intervene and take urgent enforcement action against SUEZ UK to:

• Conduct an independent investigation into the Whinney Hill Landfill operation and its devastating impact on our community.
• Enforce immediate pest and gull control measures that actually work, with clear accountability for results.
• Eliminate the sickening odours and gas emissions from the site that are making people ill.
• Reduce the daily lorry traffic and implement proper dust and pollution controls.
• Take action against the escalating rat infestations now affecting the area.
• Overturn the decision by lancashire County Council to allow Hyndburn, Burnley, Rossendale and Pendle councils to continue disposing of non-recyclable rubbish at Whinney Hill when they could take it to the Farington waste and recycling centre,
  Flensburg Way, Farington Moss, Leyland, Lancashire, PR26 6PH
• Launch an immediate investigation into the national impact and geographic distribution of landfills and waste transfer stations that are critically endangering public health and violating the basic rights of residents and business owners living nearby. It is imperative to put an end to the systematic targeting of economically disadvantaged towns—such as Accrington, Bacup, Rossendale, Fleetwood, and Newcastle-under-Lyme—as dumping grounds. This discriminatory practice perpetuates environmental injustice, contravenes public health obligations, and demands urgent redress and accountability.

HYNDBURN RESIDENTS DESERVE BETTER!
For over 12 months, we have suffered in silence. Now, we demand real action—not empty reassurances.

Sign this petition today and help us force the government to protect our homes, health, and businesses from this out-of-control environmental disaster!