Westmill Landfill

[Winifred]

Hello, I'm new to this board and to the area and looking for some advice/info....
I'm hopefully moving to the Vicarage Estate area of Ware and have come across the posts regarding the landfill site. I've been assured by some people that it's no longer a big problem but it's clear that there are issues. I'd be really grateful if anyone on here could give me some more info as it's hard to gauge how often it's a problem and how bad it is. I've visited 10 times recently and not smelled a thing so it's clearly not all the time and have seen such a range of comments on the forum ranging from it being toxic hell to others saying it's not that bad. I'd really appreciate any replies from people who live in that area, and would like to hear from both those that have problems and those that don't. I'm aware it's a contentious subject and some people are understandably really angry about it but would really appreciate some honest objective advice.
Many thanks for any replies!

[craig]

Welcome to Ware Online Winifred.
I live about 1 Km from the landfill site, in Lower Bourne Gardens so I'm not sure if my experiences can relate to you.
I occassionally smell the gas from the landfill site, but it is very much reduced this past year.
I always log the incident with EA.

When it's bad, it's usually because there has been an incident on the site. Biffa have managed to pursuade the Environmental Agency to apologise for their mistakes which always makes me question who the EA work for.

I'd much rather the EA told the public how much they fined Biffa for breaches rather then hearing excuses from Biffa through the EA... Still - Any communication is better than hearing nonthing.

That said, the site is less of a problem today than it was 5 years ago and will only improve in the coming years.

Is there anyone from the Vicarage Estate who can update un on their experiences of late?

[Scouter]

I'm on the Vicarage Estate and I pretty much concur with what Craig has said, especially about the EA. It also depends to a certain extent where you are as some houses are a lot closer than others.

As annoying as the occasional pongs are, I still find myself thankful that a group of us got together and fought off a planned incinerator. Personally I love living were I am as I am as close to nice walks as I am Ware town centre is which is pound for pound much better than a certain nearby county town

[Winifred]

Many thanks for your responses, it's good to hear some more positive comments as well as the horror stories. My main concern was how frequently there are problems as I like to be out in the garden and do not want to be imprisoned in the house for the entire of the summer! One thing I have noticed from this forum is that there does seem to be a really nice sense of community which is certainly outweighing the occasional pong for me

[mb1]

Welcome to WoL. We live on the Vicarage Estate near the Watton Road, and while we smell the dump from time to time where we are it isn't very often. Don't be too put off by moaning on here, we (and by that I mean I) do a lot of it. But we love living in Ware.

[Winifred]

Thank you for that, it's good to hear some positive comments

[Mel]

Not really on topic but welcome to Ware Winifred, it's a lovely town with a great friendly spirit. You should come down for the carnival on the 5th July. We've lived here for 42 years now and seen some great changes but really wouldn't like to live anywhere else. We don't live on the Vicarage so don't get the smell, I've only smelt it a couple of times up at Wodson Park.

[Warewolf]

I agree with all the comments so far, there is the occasional smell from the site but unlike the bad old days there is always a reason/fault which is explained by Biffa. Ware is a lovely place and you won't be disappointed!

[Winifred]

Looking forward to moving in

[Matt40]

I am sure it smelled this morning down in town or was I dreaming it? I do confuse it with the maltings smell from stansted abbots though sometimes.