Mystery as Milton Keynes landfill site’s application is pulled at the last minute

Buckinghamshire Council’s strategic sites committee met on Thursday afternoon and a plan to extend the life of the landfill tip by 15 years was firmly on the agenda.

A Milton Keynes Council cabinet member was even in the online waiting room, poised to speak against the plan by FCC Environment to keep burying non recyclable waste on the site up until 2037. It would take another two years to finish of restoration work.

The regionally important waste tip is due to close in 2022 under permission granted in 2002, but because there is less waste to bury, it could last a lot longer.

MK Council threw out a similar plan in September.

But Buckinghamshire Council was also called on to make a decision because a small part of the site, near Newton Leys, lies in its patch.

The committee’s chairman, Cllr Alan Turner (Cons) announced that the item had been pulled.

“For reasons I have not been advised, the last item on today’s agenda, the Bletchley Landfill Site, has been pulled at the last moment,” he said.

“It will return at a later date.

“Apologies to those who are anticipating the debate on that.

“I’m sorry it’s not going to take place today but you will be notified when the matter is brought back to committee.

“You have a freer afternoon than you previously imagined.”

MK Council cabinet member Cllr Emily Darlington (Lab, Bletchley East) was informed that the item was being deferred as the meeting started.

“It is not clear why but it will be rescheduled,” she said, adding that some 700 objections have been lodged in the last four days.

A Buckinghamshire Council spokesperson was not able to shed much light on the matter.

She said: “The matter is going for further review by planning officers.”