THE owner of a former landfill tip in Bromsgrove has been told to re-shape and plant contours of the land in order to make the site acceptable to the authorities.

Work required includes adding a 300mm layer of restoration soils to the site of the former Marlbrook Tip and Resevoir, then recontouring the finished surface which will then need to be seeded to grass.

Bromsgrove district Council has organised a series of public meetings to keep local residents fully informed of plans for the site, and the latest requirements come after a joint discussions between the statutory engineers that regulate UK reservoirs, their legal enforcers the Environment Agency, and the council.

Bromsgrove District Council’s Head of Planning Ruth Bamford said: “The enforcement agencies have all worked on this site for over a year and we are now in a position to set out a clear way forward.”

The works have been ordered by the statutory panel engineer appointed by the Secretary of State of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and failure to comply would be a criminal offence.

Ms Bamford added: “Clearly we recognise that local residents are unlikely to welcome more material being brought onto the site, but we are advised by the panel engineer's department that what is being proposed is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the site and the reservoir.”

Residents are being invited to attend a public meeting on Monday, February 10 at Lickey Parish Hall, where the plans will be discussed, along with how these new works will alleviate the problems that exist on the site relating to the materials deposited over a five year period from 2005.

The meeting starts from 7pm and anyone is welcome to attend.

Representatives from the Environment Agency as well as officers and members of Bromsgrove District Council will be on hand to explain the latest developments and answer any questions.