A planned extension for a waste recycling facility in South Elmsall has been blocked following complaints from over 400 local residents about a “putrid stench.” Wakefield Council rejected the proposal to keep the Hacking Lane site operational for an additional 10 years.

The Environment Agency (EA) is pursuing enforcement action against the operator, Minore (also known as Mineral Processing Ltd), after a planning inspector found hazardous materials on-site that posed health risks. The EA’s decision follows a public inquiry where the operator’s appeal was dismissed. The site’s pollution has been linked to foul odours, dust, and litter, with significant concerns over local watercourses, including Frickley Beck.

Minore has been instructed to remove approximately 180,000 tonnes of material and halt further waste dumping. A notice issued by the EA will take effect on 4 July, revoking the operator’s permit. While the company plans to repurpose the site into a country park, including a wildflower meadow and wetland, its current activities are under close scrutiny. The local community is hopeful for lasting resolution but remains cautious.

Accu, a Huddersfield-based e-commerce company, has taken over the naming rights of the stadium from John Smiths in a deal set to last until at least 2030. The partnership sees the stadium renamed Accu Stadium, effective immediately.

This move highlights the strategic alignment between the football club and Accu, with both entities sharing a vision for innovation, local pride, and community development. The agreement will also support Huddersfield Town’s future investments both on and off the pitch.

Accu, which supplies components globally and employs over 130 staff, is committed to sustainability, including net-zero goals, and plans to collaborate with the club on various community projects. These include education-driven STEM outreach, community development, and enhanced fan engagement during match days.

The stadium’s new identity will debut at a friendly match against Burnley FC on 26 July 2025. The partnership marks a new chapter in Huddersfield’s sporting landscape, with Accu joining as the club’s primary sponsor, taking over from Heineken, who will continue as a partner under a new pouring rights agreement.

The University of Huddersfield has achieved the highest level of the government’s Disability Confident scheme, earning Disability Confident Leader status. This accreditation, valid until 2028, signifies the University’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, and neurodivergent conditions.

Disability Confident Leader accreditation recognises organisations for their proactive approach to disability inclusion. The University’s efforts include providing accessible recruitment processes, supporting disabled employees, and improving policies around health, wellbeing, and disability inclusion. The recognition builds on the University’s prior status as a Disability Confident Employer.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the University plans to continue developing best practices and will encourage its network and supply chain to adopt similar inclusive practices. The institution has already made strides in digital accessibility, employee support, and working with supply chain partners to raise awareness of the Disability Confident scheme.

Looking forward, the University will regularly review and update its Disability Confident Action Plan, focusing on the reporting period from 2025 to 2028. The first initiative under this new status will be the rollout of a Health Adjustments Passport, designed in collaboration with the Staff Disability Network and Neurodiversity Staff Group.

Supermarkets in England could face fines if they fail to meet new health standards aimed at reducing obesity. As part of a 10-year strategy to combat diet-related diseases, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is rolling out a “healthy food standard” for retailers and manufacturers.

The policy, initially developed by Nesta, introduces health targets for retailers with flexibility in meeting them. Options include adjusting recipes, running promotions on healthier items, or redesigning store layouts. Supermarkets will be required to report sales data, and those not meeting the targets may incur financial penalties.

Nesta analysed 36 million supermarket transactions and set a target of raising the average health score of shopping baskets from 67 to 69 out of 100. This increase, according to Nesta’s modelling, could reduce obesity rates by 20% within three years, helping over three million people reach a healthier weight.

The government plans to implement mandatory reporting by 2029, with the full health standard expected to be achieved thereafter. Retail leaders have expressed support for the initiative, emphasising its role in fostering healthier eating habits across the nation.

UK industrial companies are set to face a £685 million increase in property taxes, which could offset the recent reductions in energy bills aimed at improving their competitiveness. A new business rates levy, affecting approximately 4,300 large industrial properties in key sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and chemicals, will take effect in April 2026. This levy is part of the broader business rates revaluation, which aims to fund tax breaks for the high street retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors.

This move follows the government’s recent announcement of energy cost cuts for energy-intensive businesses, including the removal of green levies, which is expected to benefit over 7,000 firms. While some sectors, such as steel and chemicals, will receive additional support through reduced network charges, the new property tax increases are expected to offset these benefits.

Experts argue that the UK’s industrial strategy lacks cohesion, with one hand offering energy savings and the other imposing higher property taxes. The country already has some of the highest property taxes in the developed world, and critics warn that this could undermine the effectiveness of the government’s energy support plans.

The government maintains that its approach will create a fairer system for businesses, but industry leaders are calling for a more unified strategy that addresses the full cost burden faced by industrial firms.