The ban on certain waste arriving at the Llanelli site blamed for the town’s fly infestation has been lifted, with the regulator saying the site is no longer contributing to the swarms.
Natural Resources Wales has withdrawn the partial suspension notice it served on AMG Resources Limited in July, but says enforcement action and close monitoring of the site continue.
The notice, issued on 23 July, had stopped the company bringing certain waste types onto the site at the height of the crisis, which saw flies swarm homes, pubs and shops across Seaside, Morfa and Tyisha for weeks.
Shops sold out of fly spray, more than 800 residents joined a Facebook group tracking the infestation, and one publican described the problem as “like a plague”.
Since the suspension was imposed, NRW waste regulation officers have visited the site every week to check compliance and monitor environmental risks.
The regulator says recent inspections confirmed significant improvements to operations, including measures to improve waste management practices and site conditions, and that it considers the site is no longer contributing to the fly problems experienced in the area.
Ed Davies, NRW’s south west team leader for industry and waste regulation, said the operator had undertaken “extensive work” on waste management and site housekeeping since the notice was served. “Whilst this is a positive step, our regulatory activity continues,” he said.
An enforcement notice remains in place requiring waste to be stored within the permitted site boundaries, and Mr Davies said NRW would “continue to monitor compliance closely and take further action if necessary”.
The company is also required to strengthen its pest management arrangements, review site operations and put in place any further measures needed to cut the risk of the swarms returning, with NRW assessing those measures through ongoing inspection.
Mr Davies said the regulator recognised the impact the flies had on local residents and businesses, and thanked the community for its patience during the investigation and enforcement action.
The suspension notice was the peak of a rapid escalation in late July: NRW first served an enforcement notice giving the operator 21 days to bring waste management back into line with its permit, then suspended part of the permit three days later.
The announcement does not address Glanymor councillors’ call for the NRW chair to resign over the regulator’s handling of the crisis, or their demand for compensation for affected residents and businesses.
Residents say fly infestations in the area were first reported in 2018 and have returned each summer in hot weather, and NRW says the operator must identify additional measures to reduce the risk of a repeat.
Carmarthenshire Council’s public health team has also acted on the fly concerns, including inspections of potential source locations, monitoring, engagement with local communities, and placing fly traps at strategic points in the affected area.
Residents are encouraged to keep reporting fly activity to the council on 01267 234567 or publicprotection@carmarthenshire.gov.uk, as reports help officers monitor trends, assess whether conditions are improving and target any intervention needed.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
LLANELLI: Waste site banned from taking some waste tonight as fly crisis escalates
How the suspension notice was imposed in July.
LLANELLI: Flies traced to AMG Resources site as regulator orders 21-day clean-up
How the investigation identified the source.
LLANELLI: Councillors call for NRW chair to quit over fly crisis
Glanymor’s councillors demand accountability at the top of the regulator.
LLANELLI: ‘Like a plague’ — flies swarm Seaside homes and pubs
How the infestation first took hold across the Seaside area.
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