Battleground tip transformed

THE site today

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THE former High Moor landfill site at Scouthead has been transformed from battle ground to a beauty spot.

After years of bitter battles in which residents and conservationists waged war on eye-watering smells and insect invasions, the tip has been completely turned around by its owners.

The plight of locals was highlighted in a dossier to then Environment Minister Phil Woolas - former MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth.

Three years ago Veolia Environmental Services commited to end use of the 400ft deep tip by 2017, and this week John Molyneux, Veolia’s area aftercare manager for the north, said: “We beat our target by four years and closed High Moor in December 2013. Restoration work has progressed well and the site was covered with restoration soil last year. New plants and flowers are already growing and these will extend the local eco-system for wildlife.

“We really like to show people how this site is being transformed and welcome visitors — they just need to contact the site to arrange a time.

Scouthead residents and anti-tip campaigners David and Diane Bolan, who have lived on a farm next to the site for 15 years, agreed things had improved dramatically.

David said, “There are no flies at all and the smells have vanished. It’s gone from hell to be a heaven.”.