Complaints to the Environment Agency about odour from the Omega Proteins animal rendering plant near Penrith have more than quadrupled this spring compared to the same period last year.
May and June saw 114 and 223 complaints, respectively, about smells coming from Omega, compared to 25 in May, and 52 in June, 2022.
The figure for July last year was 45 and that has already been eclipsed by the 161 complaints made by Wednesday, 19th July.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “Following increased reports of odours from Omega Proteins, our officers have been carrying out increased monitoring and visits of the site to determine the source of the smell and make clear that the company must take action to address any issues which could be leading to this.
“Our investigations into the source are ongoing and we continue to encourage members of the public to share any concerns or new reports with us.”
Penrith mayor Doug Lawson told a meeting of the town council on Monday last week that he had been part of a “fact finding” tour of the Omega Proteins facility last month. “As you would expect, the owner was very enthusiastic about his business. He gave us a full tour and pointed out changes designed to minimise odour from the site and to reduce potential impact on residents,” said Mr Lawson.
However, he added that the “flip side” was that, unfortunately, calls to Environment Agency’s odour hotline are still going up.
Mr Lawson added: “There is an open dialogue there (with Omega Proteins) and we are talking to them, but I think the main message at the moment is that if you smell it, you need to report it, using the 24-hour incident line which is the Environment Agency one, 0800 80 70 60.
“Data is going to be the biggest factor in resolving this, I think. If it is not reported, the agency are not able to act on it, so we need to get that message out there — if you smell it you need to report it.”
At the town council meeting it was also agreed that a Penrith Environmental Task and Finish Group should be set up. A spokesman said the town council was aware of significant environmental issues related to industry and traffic in and around Penrith that were of concern to residents.
The group would present an opportunity to investigate and consider options to reduce and mitigate against noise, carbon and odour emissions to improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of Penrith residents, visitors and workers and the natural environment. As part of that an “odour champion” could be appointed to help monitor the situation and be a point of contact for any residents with concerns.
Jeff Thomson, of Fresh AIR for Penrith, who is also a member of Penrith Town Council, told the Herald he had confidence that the Environment Agency was taking the issue seriously and looks forward to an outcome which means no more odour pollution from the Omega Proteins animal rendering plant.
He hosted a residents’ open meeting on the issue at Castletown Community Centre on Monday, 24th July.
A spokesman for Leo Group, which operates Omega Proteins in Penrith, said: “We are working with the Environment Agency and urge anyone who reports to the Environment Agency to also contact our hotline on 07976 857 435 so that we can identify the source of the odour.
“Our odour checkers are trained to accurately identify the odour emitting into the air, and they help us to collect data on the length and times of the odour occurrences. As it is our intention to work with the community and be a good neighbour, we have organised a community liaison meeting to explain the operations on site as well as what has been done in terms of odour abatement and the reason behind it.
“This meeting will take place on Wednesday, 2nd August at 6-30pm at the Newton Rigg campus.
“Those wishing to attend our community liaison meeting at Newton Rigg can confirm their attendance by emailing community@leogroupltd.co.uk”
