A court order now prevents access to a former quarry in West Yorkshire where waste has been dumped illegally.
The restriction order bans waste from being imported onto the site and access to the land is also prohibited, subject to certain exceptions. Anyone breaching the order is committing a criminal offence.
The site at Calder Quarry in Elland, Halifax, is surrounded by residential properties, two schools and a railway line.
The Environment Agency says a criminal investigation into suspected illegal waste activity is ongoing.
Local residents first reported waste tipping at the quarry with odours described as ‘rubbish and rotting food’ in December 2025.
An Environment Agency assessment found thousands of tonnes of waste had been dumped, with some of it buried. Several excavators were also seen on the site.
Initially, Calderdale Council issued a temporary stop notice at the entrance to the site, which meant waste must not be imported. However, in August 2026, residents reported that further waste had been dumped.
The Environment Agency then obtained a restriction order at West Yorkshire Magistrates’ Court, which will be in place for six months.
Ben Hocking, Yorkshire Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “Residents should not have to put up with everything that comes with illegal waste dumps, including the awful smells.”
“We acted on reports from the community and our inspections confirmed waste was dumped at this site in recent weeks. We’ve taken action to shut it down while our criminal investigation continues.”
