Closed landfill sites

Closed landfill sites fall into three categories - those that:

• closed after 16 July 2001
• closed before 16 July 2001 and have a PPC permit/Waste Management Licence
• no longer have a permit.

Landfill sites that closed after 16 July 2001

These sites are known as 'Landfill Directive closed landfills'. Operators are subject to the requirements of landfill legislation. You must provide closure plans to show how you intend to close and manage the site in the aftercare phase.

In Northern Ireland these sites are regulated under a Waste Management Licence.

Regulated sites closed before 16 July 2001

These sites are known as 'closed landfills'. You will be regulated by a range of conditions that were originally imposed through waste management or waste disposal licences.

In Northern Ireland these sites are regulated under a Waste Management Licence or a Compliance Notice.

Sites that no longer have a permit

These sites are known as 'historic closed landfills'. Your environmental regulator does not regulate these sites. However, they maintain an interest in them because of their potential to release greenhouse gases.

Surrendering a permit

You must continue to manage sites to prevent pollutants being released during the aftercare phase.

• SEPA: Surrendering an authorisation
• SEPA: Guidance on closure procedures for landfill sites operating under a Waste Management Licence (PDF, 64K)
• SEPA: Closure, restoration and aftercare plan for submission to SEPA
• Forest Research: Restoration guidance for landfill sites
• NIEA :Form for surrendering a PPC permit