The Fresh AIR for Penrith campaign has submitted a 1,313-signature petition to Eden District Council — following the submission of an earlier petition carrying 500 names.
Eden Council is the planning authority in Penrith and campaigners want the council to stop approving planning applications from Omega Proteins which operates an animal rendering plant on the edge of town, which it is claimed is the source of odour known locally as the Penrith pong.
In June, the council gave delegated approval to an Omega planning application.
“There was no consultation, no discussion, no debate, no vote, just officer recommended approval which planning committee councillors simply ‘nodded through’ at their meeting, totally ignoring local residents’ views and a 500-signature petition,” said fresh AIR for Penrith campaigner Jeff Thomson.
Now, the council has been presented with 1,313 signatures.
“The updated petition was emailed to EDC councillors, so now they can’t claim they don’t know the strength of local opinion against further expansion at Omega,” said Mr Thomson.
The Environment Agency has recently undertaken a public consultation into a permit application from Omega to start operating a new multi-fuel thermal oxidiser at the Penrith plant. The results of the consultation are likely to come within the next few weeks.
The Environment Agency received a number of odour complaints on its 0800 807060 national call line.
Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson has been in talks with Omega about the ‘pong’ nuisance and has been asked by the campaign to increase pressure on the company.
