Archived press release

Landfill sites hit house prices

21 February 2003

Landfill sites significantly reduce the prices of houses situated nearby, a Government report has revealed today. Friends of the Earth said that much more must be done to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, and called on the Government to support Joan Ruddock's Private Members Bill to provide every household in England and Wales with a doorstep recycling scheme.

The Government study revealed that the value of properties situated less than quarter of a mile away from a landfill site was an average of £5,500 lower than the value of similar houses not near landfill sites. Houses between a quarter and half a mile from landfills were on average £1,600 lower.

In December last year, the Environment Agency revealed that more than half of the 2,264 landfill sites in England and Wales are failing to comply with waste management licence conditions. The Agency revealed that over half (56 per cent) of landfill sites assessed failed to comply with license conditions; and that 14 per cent are nowhere near compliance.

People are also concerned about living near incinerators. Throughout the UK residents have run, and are running, vociferous campaigns to prevent incinerators being built.

Friends of the Earth's senior waste campaigner, Claire Wilton, said:

"It is perfectly understandable that people do not want to live near landfill sites. Most fail to comply with licence conditions. They are smelly, noisy and create pollution every day. The Government must do more to protect the public from poorly managed landfills and set tough targets to reduce the amount of hazardous waste that is landfilled.

"People are also concerned about the health and environmental impacts of incineration. The answer is to reduce the amount of waste we produce and recycle far more than the 12 per cent we currently achieve. That is why the Government must back Joan Ruddock's recycling bill when it is debated in Parliament on 14th March. The bill would ensure that every household in England and Wales was provided with a doorstep recycling service."

Notes

1. www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/infoteam/pressrel/2002/20021220151653.html

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust