Abandoned dump danger monitored
But council may take Tarbolton site over
A controversial landfill site could pass to the council after its operator went bust.
There are fears that rubbish left at the Tarbolton Moss landfill would lead to environmental disaster.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA) has been monitoring the abandoned tip since the operator went into liquidation in June.
South Ayrshire leader SNP’s Douglas Campbell said the council is trying to find a solution to the problem site.
He said: “We are working with SEPA to make sure the site is being monitored and make sure there is no risk to the public.
“We are trying to find a solution. “This is a potential public health issue and we need to fix it. We are in a regular contact with SEPA.
“There are concerns from local residents. We are keeping on top of it with SEPA to make sure there is no risk.”
Councillor Campbell said there is a chance that the land could possibly go to the council after first passing to the Crown.
SEPA said it doesn’t have the remit to take on or manage abandoned sites. But the environmental regulator said it is working with the Scottish Government, which is liaising with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the council on the issue.
It has emerged hazardous ash waste was dumped at the Tarbolton site. SEPA said the landfill site may not even have been authorised to handle it.
It warned the current lack of “operational management” will increase the risk to the environment.
Monitoring by inspectors in November found environmental impact risks ranged from moderate, low and very low.
They checked landfill gas and the quality and levels of groundwater and leachate . They also monitored surface water quality in the Water of Fail and the Biggary Burn.
An Official Receiver was appointed after Tarbolton Landfill Limited went into liquidation.
SEPA’s latest update on the situation said: “SEPA continues to engage with the Official Receiver regarding our regulatory monitoring of the site and to ensure security of the landfill, as the environmental obligations of the site’s permit now fall to them.”