A STINKING landfill site towering above homes has left residents claiming their lives are being made a misery by flies, dust and foul smells.
Locals say the sprawling tip has grown so large it now dominates the landscape, with some fearing they are trapped in their which they can no longer sell.
Locals say the landfill site is towering over their homes Credit: SWNS
Gary Berresford (pictured) said his fly traps get filled up in a matter of days due to fly infestation Credit: SWNS
Families complain they are unable to enjoy their gardens, open their windows or escape the foul odour during hot .
The row centres on Duckmanton, , where residents say conditions have steadily worsened over recent years.
Many claim the landfill has expanded far beyond the original quarry area and now stretches up nearby hillsides overlooking the village.
They say swarms of flies regularly invade kitchens and living rooms, while clouds of dust settle on homes, cars and washing.
Erin landfill site is located on the border of two Derbyshire villages Duckmanton and Poolsbrook Credit: SWNS
Marie Norman (pictured) lives near the landfill site in Duckmanton Credit: SWNS
Mum-of-four Amy Jackson said: “The persistent stench, swarms of flies, dust, and relentless noise have turned our home into a place of discomfort rather than refuge.
“During the recent hot weather, we were unable to open our windows because the odour was so overpowering.
“My children ask why smells so bad. No mother should have to answer that question.”
Amy said she has spent large sums on fly traps and other products to try to keep infestations under control.
But she claims the insects continue to plague her family and make day-to-day life difficult.
Carer and mother of four Marie Norman, 54, said the situation has affected both her physical and mental .
She said: “They’ve filled the holes to capacity but then don’t cover them up so the rubbish has now risen all up the hillside.
“I have to use my inhaler much more often. The whole thing has left me really down and depressed as it’s no way to live really.”
Fly catchers in a house near a landfill site in Duckmanton Credit: SWNS
Families complain they are unable to enjoy their gardens, open their windows or escape the foul odour during hot weather Credit: SWNS
Marie believes dust from the site is worsening her and says she cannot leave washing outside.
Resident Gary Berresford, 38, who lives around 50ft from the site boundary, says battling flies has become part of his morning routine.
He said: “Every morning a new batch of flies manage to find their way through the gaps in the windows into the house.
“A part of my morning ritual every day is having my and going around shooting flies for about 20 minutes. And the dust is unreal.”
Gary also claimed the smell becomes overwhelming during warm and breezy conditions.
He fears the landfill has already reached its practical limits and questions how much higher it can safely grow.
Complaints are not limited to homes closest to the site.
Residents in neighbouring Long Duckmanton, more than a mile away, say they are also being affected.
Fly catchers in a house near a landfill site the site Credit: SWNS
Locals say they are trapped living there as they would be unable to sell their homes Credit: SWNS
Mum-of-two Catherine McConologue said: “Our cars are constantly covered in dust, the flies are horrendous, and the stench is absolutely awful.
“With the flies comes the issue of maggots and that’s really disgusting.
“If was moving now, I wouldn’t move here because of the landfill.”
She fears the worsening conditions could affect and deter people from moving to the area.
One resident, who asked not to be identified, said the smell became so intense she temporarily left her home after suffering bouts of nausea.
Another villager described the landfill as a huge eyesore hanging over the community and said they felt unable to enjoy their own garden because of dust and insects.
Erin landfill site opened in 1999 on the former colliery site.
It was first operated by Viridor before being taken over by .
Although the site had been due to close in 2021, permission was granted for operations to continue until 2036.
In recent days, Valencia received approval to begin using a newly engineered landfill cell.
Staveley Town Council member Mick Bagshaw said residents should be able to enjoy their homes and gardens without being forced to deal with odours, flies and extra costs for .
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins added he has received numerous complaints during the recent hot spell.
He warned that residents should not be left unable to open their windows in extreme temperatures.
A spokesperson for Valencia said the landfill continues to operate in line with its environmental permit and planning conditions.
They said extra dust suppression measures were introduced during the recent and daily cover activity had been increased to reduce odours.
The company said stockpiled waste had recently been exposed as part of work to move material into a new landfill cell.
Valencia added that waste deliveries had been halted while soil capping was increased to tackle the smell.
The firm apologised for any inconvenience caused and said the Environment Agency had been informed of the steps being taken.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said the regulator was pressing the operator to address the odour problems.
They said the situation was gradually improving but warned that enforcement action would be considered if sufficient progress was not made.
The spokesperson added: “Communities should not have to tolerate odours, and we understand the impact this can have.”
The Sun has contacted North East District Council for comment.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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