A campaign group fears nothing will happen for "yet another year" to end frequent fires at a landfill site.

Havering Council announced in its most recent Launders Lane email update that it has withdrawn its statutory nuisance abatement notice, served to Arnolds Field landowner DMC (Essex) Limited in April.

The notice warned that the council can consider formal action if there were more fires after May 24 that caused smoke and fumes that significantly affected residents.

But campaign group Clear the Air in Havering questioned how withdrawing it will serve either the council or Rainham people, fearing that "this is just another chance for nothing to happen for yet another year".

DMC (Essex) Limited previously appealed the notice in August, and Havering Council has withdrawn it before the appeal hearing.

Fires have broken out at the Arnolds Field site, in Launders Lane, more than 100 times in the past five years, and Clear the Air in Havering said the abatement notice "felt like progress" to resolve the issues at the illegal waste site.

Now the campaign group believes Havering Council will no longer be able to hold the landowner accountable.

A spokesperson for Clear the Air in Havering said: "Clear the Air in Havering are adamant that Havering Council has a responsibility to protect its citizens, and this is why we need to know why is it not taking the opportunity to force progress on this by pursuing the abatement notice, thus retaining its powers to make something happen."

READ MORE: Launders Lane waste dump fires reduce residents to tears

The decision to withdraw the notice was mainly made because the landowner had begun "constructive dialogue" with the London Fire Brigade and other parties, according to the council.

Havering Council also said that it has written to DMC (Essex) Limited, setting out "clear expectations" for actions that need to be taken to address the fires.

This includes confirming the steps the company will take to reduce the smoke by December 31, and completing any "necessary" on-site works by April 30, 2025.

The council added that it "reserves the right" to serve another abatement notice if "satisfactory progress" is not made. 

When the Recorder asked the council how the withdrawal of the notice will benefit residents in the area, it was directed to the latest Launder Lane email update.