Natural Resources Wales invites feedback on draft decision to issue the Withyhedge Landfill permit variation

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has reached a proposed approval decision on Withyhedge Landfill operator’s request to make changes to its environmental permit and is seeking feedback from communities.

Following a detailed assessment, NRW is ‘minded to’ issue the permit variation request from Resources Management UK Ltd to vary the environmental permit that controls how the Pembrokeshire site is managed (permit number EPR/MP3330WP, application reference PAN‑025929).

NRW is now seeking views on the draft decision through a four‑week public consultation (closing Thursday, 26 March). All relevant responses will be considered before a final decision is made.

The operator’s application proposes several changes to the existing permit, including:

• Changes to the planned shape of the land once the landfill is capped
• A modified management and monitoring programme for groundwater, surface water and leachate
• The addition of 50,000 tonnes of waste soils for restoration under a new Waste Recovery activity
• Consolidation and modernisation of the permit, including a review of existing improvement conditions and pre‑operational conditions

NRW considers the proposed changes acceptable and likely to help the site operate without harming the environment or local communities.

Before a final decision is made, feedback is being gathered from residents on issues such as emissions, potential health and environmental impacts, and how waste is managed on site.

However, matters handled by the Local Authority’s planning department including the site’s location, traffic, visual impact, land use, access and operating hours, cannot be considered by NRW.

Huwel Manley, Head of south west, for Natural Resources Wales, said: 

“We know the community has a long‑standing interest in what happens at Withyhedge Landfill, and we take that responsibility seriously.

“Given the history of the site and the concerns people have previously raised, we promised to take an approach that goes further than our usual consultation process for a permit variation.

“Being ‘minded to’ issue this variation means our specialists are satisfied the operator can meet the required standards, but before we make any final decision we want to hear from the people who live and work nearby. We encourage anyone with an interest in the site to take part in the consultation.”

The consultation will close on Thursday 26 March, 2026.

Draft documents and details on how to submit comments are available on NRW’s Consultation and Engagement Hub: https://bit.ly/DraftDecisionWithyhedge