Hafod odour nuisance

We represent households affected by odours alleged to come from the Hafod Quarry Landfill Site, located on Bangor Road and operated by Enovert North Limited. This is a group action claim for private nuisance,  brought by residents of properties affected by odour against the site’s operators.

The claim brings together affected members of the community seeking compensation for interference with the reasonable enjoyment of their homes and gardens caused by unreasonable odours. It also seeks redress to ensure the site is managed to respect residents’ rights. The claim may also include an application for an injunction to prevent further nuisance if the odour problem is ongoing.

The site has been the source of persistent odour issues, particularly since 2023, causing significant distress and impact on the quality of life for the local community.

The aim of the claim is to ensure that the landfill is operating with due respect to its neighbours and without emitting excessive odour levels in the neighbourhood. It is not the aim of the claim to close the site down or to cause job losses.

If you believe odours have significantly impacted your ability to enjoy your home, it is important to take action collectively. The greater the number of participants, the stronger the case and the more likely the operator will be required to act.

You may be eligible if:

– You are the legal owner or legal tenant of an affected residential property;
– You occupied the property during the relevant period;
– You experienced a material impact on your enjoyment of the property due to nuisance including odours.

Each case will be assessed by our team, and eligible claimants will be offered a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

How our specialist environmental solicitors can help

We have conducted cases in relation to some of the biggest landfill sites in the UK where noise, flies, and smells have made people’s lives a misery. We have handled cases in relation to the nuisance caused by smelly sewage treatment works, dusty and noisy factories and intensive agriculture and nuisance caused by the legacy of former waste and industrial sites.

Hugh James has been approached to act for residents in a group action against Enovert North Limited, the operators of the Hafod Landfill site, for compensation for nuisance arising from the alleged odours and to take positive steps to ensure that the environment improves substantially/for the recurrent odours to end.

Why choose us?

We are a firm of solicitors based in Cardiff and are one of the UK’s leading specialists in environmental group actions. We help residents fight for the enforcement of their legal rights by seeking court orders to prevent further harm and for compensation for loss of property enjoyment. We have successfully handled a number of high profile cases on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, against some of the largest companies in the country, which will require no direct payment from you provided that you are honest, reasonable and co-operate promptly with us when asked to do so.

Key contact

Stephanie Eedy

Partner
Stephanie Eedy specialises in group actions on behalf of communities and residents across England and Wales affected by various forms of environmental pollution such as odour, noise and dust emanating from factories, landfill sites and other similar commercial entities.  She has successfully concluded a number of environmental group actions in locations within the UK and has secured compensation and an end to the nuisance on behalf of a large number of individuals.

FAQs

The claim will be conducted under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), commonly known as ‘no win, no fee’. An insurance policy (ATE insurance) will be arranged on your behalf to cover any opponent’s costs if the claim is unsuccessful.

There are no upfront costs. If the claim is successful, our charges and the cost of the insurance policy will be deducted from your compensation award. These deductions are subject to a cap (see “what do I pay if we win” below), and the exact amount depends on various factors.

The CFA means you will only pay our fees if the claim is successful and compensation is recovered.

Compensation varies and depends on factors including the duration and severity of nuisance. Typical awards range from £1,000 to £3,000 per year of nuisance per household. For example, if you experienced nuisance for three years, and the court awards £2,000 per year, the total compensation would be £6,000. These figures are illustrative and not guaranteed.

Compensation may also include reasonable household expenses directly related to the nuisance, if supported by evidence.

If the terms of the CFA are followed, you will not have to pay any costs. Legal costs operate on a ‘loser pays’ principle. The ATE insurance policy is designed to protect claimants from liability for the opponent’s legal costs if the claim is unsuccessful.

You only pay if the claim is successful. If you win, we will deduct from your compensation a success fee and the cost of the insurance policy. The total deductions (including our success fee and the cost of the insurance) will never exceed 40% of your compensation. This means you will always receive at least 60%, and potentially more.

The percentage deduction may be lower depending on factors such as how many people join the group (given that the cost of the insurance policy is shared between a greater number) and whether the claim settles early (as this may ultimately reduce the overall risk of the claim).

We will explain the full terms of the Conditional Fee Agreement to you before you sign, including any deductions, so you have a clear understanding of your position.

Timelines vary. A claim may conclude within 2 years, but if it proceeds to trial, it could take around 3 years from the date court proceedings are issued.

Please contact us as soon as possible to ensure inclusion in the group. Our team will advise if any limitation deadlines apply.

Yes, if you lived in the affected property and experienced the nuisance within the last 6 years, you may still be eligible. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits.

How to register

Kindly submit your contact details below to receive a brief questionnaire aimed at capturing the specifics of your concerns (a link will be sent to you via email). Completing it should take no more than 10 minutes. Once you’ve filled it out, our team will reach out to you to discuss the next steps regarding your claim.