Later this year Scotland’s ban on sending waste to landfill will come into full effect — and Penrith is already bracing itself for the consequences. With limited incinerator capacity north of the border, the Scottish Government’s ban is expected to create a capacity gap of around 600,000 tonnes in the first year alone. That shortfall is already being diverted into England, with more than 100 lorry loads of Scottish waste projected to cross the border every day.
One site already feeling the pressure is Flusco landfill, just outside Penrith, where residents are reporting a sharp rise in heavy goods vehicle traffic, early-morning noise and wider concerns about environmental impact. The site was previously operated by Cumbria Waste Management Ltd, which was owned by Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council until the councils sold the business in 2024. At the time, then Cabinet member for Finance Andrew Jarvis described the deal as a “positive step forward”.
In June this year Cumbria Waste Management sold both Flusco landfill iste near Penrith and a now closed West Cumbria landfill to Manchester-based firm Seletia, which now owns and operates the Penrith Flusco site. It is understood Seletia is currently using a facility near Carlisle to transfer Scottish waste from long-haul trucks to smaller vehicles before sending it to Flusco. Plans for a new access road to accommodate larger numbers of vehicles directly at the site are been considered a staff member at the site told us.
A member of staff at Flusco, speaking anonymously, told Penrith Town News that the site is preparing for initially up to 60 HGVs per day carrying waste from Scotland, with additional loads expected from as far afield as North Wales. The Environment Agency regulates Flusco under a non-hazardous waste physical treatment facility permit. Local residents say truck movements have started as early as 4.30am, with queues forming from 6am to access the weighbridge. One nearby resident complained: “Yesterday’s artic traffic was ten times worse than usual — it starts about 4.30 in the morning.”
Residents of Newbiggin, Castletown and Stainton have all reported increased noise disturbance, with Newbiggin’s parish council chairman raising concerns directly with both the company and Westmorland and Furness Council. The council’s Environmental Department has confirmed it has received multiple calls about noise and disruption in recent weeks. However, residents say they were told the matter was outside the council’s powers and were advised to contact the Environment Agency instead.
Other concerns of local residents includes the increase of dust, odours, vermin increases locally and concerns for the safety of staff at the site living in the landfill in tents.
The situation has left many feeling powerless as the scale of waste imports looks set to rise further. Residents are demanding urgent action and transparency from both Westmorland and Furness Council and the Environment Agency, who have both been approached for comment. For Penrith and the surrounding villages, the question remains: how much of Scotland’s waste will end up being dumped on their doorstep?
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