Hapton Residents in Major Pushback Against £59m Raw Waste Plan

Cllr Jamie McGowan speaking with residents at Valley Gardens

Serious questions have been raised over a £59 million waste contract affecting the village of Hapton, after it was revealed the proposed site failed a recent Environment Agency (EA) compliance assessment.

A packed public meeting was held at Burnley Town Hall this week, organised by Hapton with Park Councillor Jamie McGowan, alongside ward councillors Alan Hosker and Joanne Broughton. The meeting was called to address growing community alarm over plans to divert 80,000 tonnes of raw municipal waste to the Envirofuel facility on Accrington Road.

Lancashire County Council (LCC), the authority behind the contract, was invited to attend to answer residents’ questions but failed to send a representative.

The campaign has uncovered a December 2025 EA report which rated the site as "Band B Non-Compliant." The audit identified failures relating to fire prevention, drainage, and site management, issues residents fear will be exacerbated by the arrival of "wet" household waste.

"Residents deserve to see the evidence behind this decision," said Cllr McGowan.

"We are talking about a site that was found non-compliant just months ago. I have formally asked the County Council whether this report was even considered during their due-diligence process before awarding a £59 million taxpayer-funded contract."

The row also centres on a potential breach of planning conditions. The site is currently restricted to 50 HGV movements per day, yet LCC has confirmed the site’s permit has been increased to allow over 200,000 tonnes of waste per year.

Cllr McGowan argues the numbers do not add up. With bin wagons expected to arrive from Monday to Saturday, the campaign is demanding that LCC publish the transport modelling used to justify the deal.

"The Council says vehicle limits will be observed, but the modeling to support that claim has not been made public," Cllr McGowan added.

"Until they can demonstrate how 200,000 tonnes of waste can be moved within a 50-truck limit, residents are right to be skeptical."

Further questions have been raised regarding whether the handling of raw municipal waste, which carries higher risks of odour and vermin than dry fuel, requires a fresh planning assessment.

Cllr McGowan concluded: "This is a major contract with significant implications for Hapton. The Council must show that proper checks were carried out. We will continue to push for transparency until the residents of Hapton get the answers they are owed."