Seaton Meadows Landfill Must Close – Hartlepool MP's Fight for a Cleaner Future

The Labour MP for Hartlepool says "the site must be closed, with no extensions to its current operations"...

15th March 2025

Last week, Labour MP for Hartlepool Jonathan Brash MP visited the Seaton Meadows landfill site alongside Hartlepool's Independent Seaton Ward Councillor Leisa Smith and Sue Little. The visit was reportedly not a symbolic gesture, but a clear signal of intent, after the increased number of concerned locals complaining about the site becomes too much for even councillors now to ignore, with a clear message being sent out to the owners of the landfill site, that Hartlepool wants no further extension on the site being granted & will fight to prevent it, if necessary.

(From Left to Right) Independent Seaton Ward Councillors Leisa Smith & Sue Little

Brash has publicly declared that there should be no extension to the landfill site’s current operations and has called for its immediate closure, following years of complaints by local residents over the pungent smells emitted from the site & litter strewn across the local area. This stance resonates deeply with the residents of Seaton Carew, who've reportedly endured the negative impacts of the landfill for far too long.

The landfill, located on the outskirts of the town, has been a contentious issue for the last decade, with concerns ranging from environmental pollution to the apparent health risks for those living nearby. The community’s frustration is palpable, with locals saying it’s heartening now to see local leaders stepping up to champion their cause.

Taking Action at Every Level

The Labour MP for Hartlepool has promiced to take action on the site, blocking any efforts for its expansion

Labour MP Jonathan Brash’s commitment to closing Seaton Meadows is backed by concrete action. Following his visit, he reportedly wrote to Hartlepool Borough Council, the Environment Agency, and government ministers, demanding that the site’s operations now be wound down as soon as possible. This multi-pronged approach demonstrates the seriousness with which Brash is seemingly tackling the issue, ensuring that all relevant bodies are told that local frustraion over the site will not subside , & that residents have been left with the knock on effects of the sites operations for far too long . .

The Environment Agency, as the regulatory body overseeing landfill operations, has a critical role to play. However, its track record in responding to community concerns has often been criticised as slow and inadequate. Brash’s direct engagement with the agency underscores the need for transparency, urgency, and a willingness to prioritise the well-being of local residents over bureaucratic inertia as theres claims the owners of the site are actually looking to extend the sites lifespan, potentially adding even more waste onto a site that by many locals opinions should have been decomissioned in its use years ago...

Why Closure is Non-Negotiable

Even at the Nearby Elizabeth Way Shops, the Pungent Aroma from the Landfill site is noticable.

The case for closing Seaton Meadows landfill is compelling. Landfill sites, by their very nature, pose significant environmental and health risks. From potential groundwater contamination to air pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases, the impacts of such sites are well-documented. For the people of Seaton, the landfill is not just an abstract problem—it’s a daily reality that affects their quality of life. In addition, Durham & Teesside Today went to Seaton Carew just weeks ago on a very wet & damp morning to find that the pungent aroma from the landfill site was nothing short of 'overpowering'..

Critics claim extending the site’s operations would therefore only prolong the harm to local residents, with investment in sustainable waste management solutions needed, not outdated practices that burden local communities. The closure of Seaton Meadows would send a powerful message that the voices of residents matter and that environmental justice is a priority.

A Major Incident was declared on the site just over a year ago, when part of the site caught fire, leaing residents being ordered to keep windows & doors closed.

The situation at Seaton Meadows however is not unique. Across the UK, communities near landfill sites and other polluting facilities often find themselves fighting similar battles. What sets Hartlepool apart is that the strength of the local community against any further development of the site and the intervention by figures such as Jonathan Brash, Leisa Smith, and Sue Little, is setting 'a united front' & a reminder that change is possible when both elected officials & the public come together and demand action.

An aerial view of the site

Jonathan Brash’s actions are said to be a promising step forward, but the real test will be in the response from the Council, the Environment Agency, and more importantly, the government. Local in Seaton Carew want swift and permanent closure of the Seaton Meadows landfill site to prevent the area from being 'the stink bomb of Hartlepool'....

However, as it seems both councillors & the towns MP are finally on board for a solution. its claimed local residents living in Seaton Carew may finally see a cleaner, healthier Hartlepool and no longer having to deal with the 'pong' of a site that many claim has gotten far too big, far too pungent & far too dangerous for people to tollerate any longer & must close !.....