A Year Since Reopening: Update Statement January 26
One Year since Re-opening
January 6th, 2026, marks the first-year anniversary of the re-opening of Withyhedge following a prolonged period of closure in 2024 to enable the completion of essential engineering works. The site is still closed to third-party inputs, but we anticipate being able to welcome those customers back during 2026.
In addition to considerable improvements made to the surface water management, the enhancement of the gas management infrastructure, and waste acceptance procedures in 2025 we have completed the initial phase of filling cell 9, and it has been temporarily capped. We have commenced tipping in the newly authorised cell 10.
We have commenced the initial groundworks to establish cell 11, but it is still very much in its infancy, completion is entirely weather dependant; the importation of clay, soil and stone for the construction continues.
RML have worked extensively with Natural Resources Wales and our technical partners to draft and introduce comprehensive and robust waste acceptance and testing procedures, and we are confident that there are no odours coming from the landfill. We are very pleased to see that the number of complaints submitted in regard to odours dramatically decreased between 2024 and 2026.
In collaboration with our technical partners, RML have adopted an entirely new and more efficient approach to filling the landfill by splitting the cells into smaller sub-cells, this enables us to fill, cap and install the gas extraction much earlier than would be usual. As a departure from usual practice, and in addition to the requirements of our permit, we are installing horizontal and pin gas wells into the cells as they are being filled as opposed to after being filled, this technique has greatly improved gas collection and reduces the risk of premature gas migration. The dramatic reduction of on-site odour and the increase in both gas and electricity yield testify to the success of this process.
During 2025 and as part of Withyhedge’ normal site compliance visits, the presence of odour was assessed and recorded in Compliance Assessment Reports (CAR Forms) by NRW; out of a total of 25 recordings, there were only 3 records of ‘mild odour’ on site. Agricultural odours are recognised and recorded on multiple occasions, but not a single one recorded the presence of any off-site odour originating from Withyhedge. This is supported by our own daily odour assessments.
Continuing into 2026, we have continued to monitor and gather air quality data from within the landfill boundary and local communities; our daily odour assessments have identified ongoing agricultural odours in the locality.
We are very satisfied that the enhanced measures we have implemented at the Withyhedge Landfill site have been effective. The issues previously referenced as the “stink bomb on steroids” have now been addressed and defused. We will continue to work closely with public agencies, technical specialists and fully support the ongoing independent odour monitoring of the area to ensure that these positive outcomes are maintained going forward.
Community Fund Increase Announced for 2026
Dauson Strengthens Commitment to Pembrokeshire with £50,000 RML Community Fund
The Dauson Environmental Group is delighted to announce the continued growth of its RML Community Fund, reaffirming its commitment to supporting communities surrounding RML Resources Ltd operations in Pembrokeshire.
Established to make a tangible difference in the areas closest to its work, the RML Community Fund provides financial support to projects that deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits to local communities. The fund reflects the Group’s strong belief that sustainable business practices go hand in hand with investing in people and places.
For 2026, Dauson Environmental Group is increasing its annual community contribution through the RML Community Fund to £50,000, which will remain budgeted at this level for the next three years. This long-term commitment underscores the Group’s dedication to fostering lasting, positive relationships and supporting local initiatives that enhance quality of life and environmental stewardship across Pembrokeshire.
Speaking about the announcement, David Neal, Director and Owner of Dauson Environmental Group, said:
“The RML Community Fund is at the heart of our sustainability commitment. We are proud to be part of the Pembrokeshire community and want to give back to the people and organisations who make this area such a special place to live and work. By supporting local projects, we’re not just contributing financially – we’re investing in long-term community resilience and well-being.”
2025
This year, the Fund has already supported a range of valuable projects, including ‘Merched Y Môr– the first all Wales female crew to take on the world’s toughest row: the Atlantic Challenge. On the 14 December 2025, this inspiring group are raising awareness and funds for a number of important charities. Dauson Environmental Group is proud to champion such efforts and encourages others to follow their incredible journey and show support: https://www.merchedymor.wales
Ben Maizey, Sustainability and Future Generations Manager at Dauson Environmental Group, who will be directly overseeing the distribution of the fund, added:
“We’ve been thrilled to support amazing projects such as Merched Y Môr along with other community initiatives, and I look forward to helping even more through the RML Community Fund in the coming year, continuing to make a positive impact across Pembrokeshire.”
The RML Community Fund is open to applications from local groups, charities and community organisations working to deliver real and measurable benefits within Pembrokeshire. Supported projects might include improvements to community facilities, educational or environmental programmes, or initiatives that strengthen local social and economic well-being.
Those interested in applying can get in contact with Ben Maizey at [email protected]
Pembrokeshire Community Fund launched
Following extensive engagement with the local community, Resource Management Ltd (RML) has formally launched its RML Pembrokeshire Community Fund in order to support community groups and organisations across the local area.
As part of this, RML are encouraging members of the community to apply to join the fund’s advisory panel, which will play a role in deciding how support is distributed.
RML has committed to an annual fund of £20,000 with local groups and organisations able to apply for up to £2,000 each year. Once established, the fund’s advisory panel will work with RML to develop a criteria that will be used as a guide for allocating funding.
Ben Maizey, Sustainability and Future Generations Manager at Dauson Environmental Group, the parent company of RML said:
“Our RML Pembrokeshire Community Fund is something we have been planning since Dauson took over RML and the Withyhedge site in March 2022.
“Whilst this has taken a little longer than planned due to the previous closure of the site to carry out improvements, we want to continue to build local relationships and ensure we play our part in the community.”
In addition to the RML Pembrokeshire Community Fund being available to support communities each year, RML has also made clear that they welcome applications for larger-scale one off projects and events outside of this process.
Mr Maizey, who oversees the distribution of community support funds across the entire Dauson Group, will be coordinating the distribution of the RML Pembrokeshire Community Fund. He added:
“We have been engaging with people for some time both through site visits and community meetings.
“One of the questions we have been asked by community members and councillors is for more information about when this fund will be up and running.
“We are therefore really excited about the launch our RML Pembrokeshire Community Fund as we take our next step in supporting our community and neighbours.”
Advisory Panel applications
Applications are now open for members of the community to apply to sit on the RML Pembrokeshire Community Fund’s advisory panel. Application information can be accessed by emailing [email protected]
Applications close at 4pm on Friday 27th June 2025.
SITE WELCOMES VISITORS
Withyhedge Landfill Welcomes Community to Site
Following a period of closure to undertake extensive investigation and remediation works in response to odour issues in 2024, Resources Management UK Ltd (RML) was pleased to reopen the Withyhedge Landfill site on 6 January 2025.
Since reopening, the site has closely monitored the effectiveness of the remediation measures and additional processes implemented. In April, RML welcomed local community members, politicians, media representatives and organisations, including schools, local businesses and voluntary services, for a site tour to view the improvements first-hand.
During the visit, visitors were presented with a detailed overview of the site’s journey including the root cause of the previous odour in 2024, the comprehensive changes made to prevent recurrence of such an event again and findings from the independent air quality data that has been collected to date. The presentation and tour highlighted other key improvements:
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Capping of previously open landfill cells.
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Installation of additional gas extraction systems in order to safely manage and remove landfill gases, surpassing industry best practice, an approach RML believes is unmatched by any other UK landfill.
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Construction of a new landfill cell to support future waste management operations.
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How the specific waste stream that caused the issue in 2024 was identified and how the introduction of a revised waste testing and acceptance protocol is now in place to prevent unsuitable material entering the site in future.
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Upgrades to surface water management, including the development of on-site lagoons.
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Installation of odour monitors both on-site and within nearby communities to ensure rapid detection and response.
Visitors witnessed the scale of these investments and were reassured by the robust systems now in place. Most importantly, they all reported that there were no odours present, which was the reassurance all were looking for.
RML Director David Neal said:
“Since the issues experienced last year, we have invested over £10 million at the site.
This has included capping the previously open cells, building gas extraction systems throughout these cells to manage and remove gases, as well as constructing an additional cell to improve how we manage waste moving forward.
We have also put in place a revised waste testing and acceptance procedure which ensures that all waste received at the site is suitable and compliant.
In direct response to local community concerns, we have also installed odour monitors both at the site and within the local community to ensure we can quickly identify and manage any future issues, as well as improving site infrastructure to better manage visiting vehicles.”
In response, feedback from visitors was clear: RML must do more to engage with the public and share this important information more widely. Community members emphasised the importance of rebuilding public confidence and encouraged the company to share the actions and investments taken with as many local residents as possible.
In response to this, RML has recommitted to increased communication and transparency. Full details of the site improvements and revised procedures will be published on the company’s website in the coming weeks. Additionally, RML will work with local community councils to distribute information from the visit and to ensure ongoing updates reach a wider audience.
Further community engagement is also planned, including additional site visits and local updates throughout the year.
Looking ahead, Mr Neal added:
“We anticipate the site will fully re-open by early spring as we continue to build confidence in the new systems with regulators, stakeholders, and the local community.
I would like to thank the local community for their understanding during this challenging time. We are part of this community, and we want to continue playing a positive role locally. That’s why we will continue with further updates and visits later this year.”
SITE VISITS ANNOUNCED
RML to Host Community and Political Representative Site Visits
Withyhedge landfill site experienced a period of closure between 15th May 2024 and 6th January 2025.
During this time Resource Management UK Ltd (RML) carried out significant investment and work at the site. This has been carried out in collaboration with specialists and regulators in order to address concerns and issues raised locally.
RML is therefore pleased to announce that we will be hosting a number of community representatives, political leaders, and the media at the site between 2-4 April to learn more about the work carried out and the role the site plays.
As the site remains operational, group tours will be limited at this time to surrounding community councils and elected representatives to ensure comprehensive community representation.
Whilst we were able to accommodate small community visits and liaise with a community-led technical group during the site’s closure, this marks the first opportunity since reopening to fully demonstrate and explain the improvements made to the wider community.
Following these visits, we will provide an update on the outcomes and share further information on current and future site operations. This information will be posted on our website along with further opportunities for site visits in the near future.
COMMUNITY UPDATE: SITE REOPENED
Following months of significant site and procedural improvements, we are pleased to announce that as of Monday 6th January, the Withyhedge site resumed waste acceptance and disposal for pre-qualifying materials. This was planned as a soft opening and was set up in a controlled manner to ensure all activities, including the revised waste acceptance procedures, could be closely monitored by both us and the regulator, Natural Resources Wales (NRW). We anticipate that the site will fully re-open by early spring as we continue to gain confidence in the new systems with the regulator, stakeholders, and the local community.
The Regulator, NRW, has conducted numerous visits to Withyhedge since re-opening and have undertaken inspections on site looking at incoming waste, paperwork, on site processes and the effectiveness of the revised procedures implemented by RML.
The NRW and Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) are scheduled to visit Withyhedge on Wednesday 29th January 2025 to inspect operations; RML welcomes the visit.
Odour Monitoring
RML has received 51 complaints from NRW (as of 26 Jan 2025). NRW has undertaken off site odour monitoring at several locations and have publicly stated that no landfill-associated odours have been detected.
RML has not received any complaints from PCC. PCC have undertaken their own off-site monitoring at residential locations and have similarly confirmed that no landfill-associated odours have been detected.
It has been noted that there have been 2 spikes in the monitoring data from Spittal School that were above the 30-minute WHO odour annoyance guideline levels. However, on both occasions the data suggests that the odour is not attributable to Withyhedge Landfill.
On-going Monitoring
Since re-opening, RML have not detected any landfill-related odours through our monitoring efforts.
To ensure transparency and provide detailed information about air quality and odours in the area, we have continued to invest in specialised expertise. This includes the installation of “AQ Mesh” monitors at key locations around our site, first in August 2024, with additional monitors added in November and December 2024. The data collected from these monitors will be shared with the Air Quality Group (AQG) as part of the regular updates provided by independently by Geotechnology.
Further Information
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work to maintain the highest standards at our site. Further updates regarding our future work and plans for the Withyhedge site will be posted on this page. If you would like to stay informed directly, we encourage you to subscribe to our mailing list via the link on our homepage.
WITHYHEDGE LANDFILL SITE REOPENING UPDATE
Resources Management (UK) Ltd. are pleased to announce that the Withyhedge site will reopen from Thursday 2nd January for the acceptance of pre-qualifying materials only, with a view to fully reopening the site to third party customers in the following weeks once further measures have been implemented.
During the period of site closure, RML have completed extensive air quality and waste sampling & analysis, geotechnical and regulatory consultation, comprehensive engineering work, and the installation of improved gas management equipment and technology; In addition, the re-opening of the site will coincide with the implementation of stricter waste acceptance procedures.
RML are satisfied that the historical issues are now fully resolved, and that the completion of this work will provide a high level of protection for both the site and its neighbouring communities going forward.
RML also acknowledge the concerns raised by the communities, and can confirm that alternative arrangements have been made, where possible, for the overnight parking of vehicles away from the local laybys
CONSTRUCTION OF CELL 9 UPDATE
UPDATE FROM WITHYHEDGE LANDFILL SITE : 20 SEPT 2024
As construction on the newest area of tipping at the Withyhedge Landfill site continues, Cell 9, RML are pleased to provide the following update:
Cell 9A
Work on this sub-cell has been completed in accordance with CQA requirements. The Cell 9A CQA Validation report was submitted to NRW on 02-09-24. This is currently being reviewed by the regulator, NRW. You can see their latest update here - Natural Resources Wales / Natural Resources Wales reviews engineering report on new Withyhedge Landfill cell construction9A
NRW will need to approve this before RML commence tipping in Cell 9.
Cell 9B
The work on this sub-cell has been completed in accordance with CQA requirements. A CQA report is currently being prepared to submit to the regulator, NRW, for approval. We anticipate it will be submitted by next week.
Cell 9C
Shaping work has been completed. Lining works are currently in progress. As with the other Cells, all work is being done in accordance with CQA requirements.
RML will provide further updates as we progress.
COMMUNITY TECHNICAL GROUP UPDATE
Landfill Site Technical Specialists meet with Community Technical Group
RML were pleased to host the technical meeting on Wednesday 4th September, between our technical specialists Geotechnology Ltd and the Community Technical Group. The meeting provided an opportunity for the specialists to provide the community on several subjects, which included:
- Overview of Withyhedge Landfill Site – Propeller System
- Odour and Gas Monitoring Infrastructure – Community and Site
- Review of Monitoring Results to Date
- Rudbaxton Monitoring and Proposed Future Monitoring
- Site Walkover
- Discussion about future engagement, liaison and data sharing
Thanks to Geotechnology Ltd and the Community for coming together.
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