Residents of Penrith are continuing to voice significant frustration over a persistent and pervasive odour affecting the town, with hundreds of formal complaints lodged with the Environment Agency (EA) in recent weeks.
Data obtained via a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request by Jeff Thomson, leader of the ‘Fresh Air for Penrith’ campaign, reveals that the EA received 334 odour reports during August. This follows a high volume of 538 reports submitted throughout July, underscoring the ongoing nature of what locals have dubbed the “Penrith Pong.”
Of the complaints filed in August, 274 members of the public identified the Omega Proteins rendering plant as the perceived source of the smell. An additional 33 reports pointed toward Seletia Limited’s Flusco landfill site, while 27 reports cited no specific source.
Mr. Thomson expressed his concern that the data highlights a clear failure to resolve a long-standing environmental nuisance. “These numbers are high and indicate Penrith still has an odour problem, which residents and visitors are experiencing and reporting,” Mr. Thomson said. “I believe people have had enough and want action to stop the nuisance. There is clearly no plan in place to bring the odour problem to an end; this is unacceptable.”
According to the campaign leader, the impact of the recurring smell extends beyond immediate discomfort, potentially harming the town’s tourism and retail sectors, as well as negatively affecting the health and general wellbeing of the local community. He is calling for greater transparency and accountability from the Environment Agency, local authorities, and the operators of the sites in question.
In response to the mounting public pressure, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency acknowledged the depth of the issue. “We know that people living and working in Penrith are feeling frustrated about the ongoing odour,” the spokesperson said. The EA confirmed it is conducting regular inspections at the sites and is “pressing the operator to better manage the issue.” The agency also noted that its staff are working closely with the Westmorland & Furness Council to address the grievances.
The EA continues to urge members of the public to record their experiences by contacting its dedicated hotline on 0800 80 70 60, stating that these reports are essential for taking “appropriate action.”
However, representatives for the operator of the rendering plant have disputed the direct link between the reports and their facility. A spokesperson for the Leo Group Limited, which owns the Omega Proteins plant, stated: “Resident reports are not in themselves evidence of the source of an odour and the figures should therefore not be interpreted as confirmation that Omega Proteins is responsible.”
The company maintained that it treats odour concerns with seriousness and is currently investing in new technology designed to improve its environmental performance and minimize its impact on the surrounding community.
As local frustration continues to mount, the ‘Fresh Air for Penrith’ campaign maintains that the current rate of reporting serves as a clear barometer for the ongoing air quality concerns in the area. Attempts to contact Seletia Limited regarding the reports linked to the Flusco landfill site were made, but no statement has been provided at this time.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
