Smell complaints spike in decades-long 'pong' row
BBCComplaints about a foul smell that has blighted a town for more than 30 years have risen substantially this summer.
The "Penrith Pong", a constant source of anger in the Cumbrian town since the 1990s, has been blamed on an animal rendering plant by locals, although the owners maintain there are a number of sources for the smell.
Environment Agency figures show recorded complaints about odour rose from nine in January this year to 26 in both February and March, before shooting up to 230 in June and 554 in July.
Residents, including Joel Housego who described the smell as "putrid" and "rancid-like", said the pong stopped them opening windows or putting washing out.
Many in Penrith believe the stench comes from the nearby Omega Proteins plant, which processes animal by-products into materials used in such items as pet food, fertiliser and fuel.
However, the plant owner Leo Group said the odours could come from a number of sources and denied being responsible for all smells reported in the town.
The latest complaint figures are based on reports to the Environment Agency and do not establish the source of the smell or any breach of environmental regulations.
As a comparison, in the whole of 2023 there were 1,367 complaints to the agency but last July they numbered about 50.
The agency claimed the recent rise reflected increased awareness of its reporting system.
Housego, who moved to Penrith last year, said the smell had been particularly difficult because his wife was pregnant at the time.
"It's a sort of putrid, rancid-like smell," he said.
"It's very distinct."
He believes the increase in complaints is because people are spending more time outdoors in the warm weather, but also because the smell itself appears to have become more frequent.
Fearing it is putting people off the town on the edge of the Lake District, he said: "It could be an incredible hub for people passing through, but if I was looking to open a business it would be the last place I'd be looking."
Lorraine Richardson, who has lived in the area for about 30 years, said: "You can't put your washing out.
"You can't open your windows in the summer when we've had such hot weather."
Having previously worked on a farm, she said she believed the smell resembled dead animals.
Leo Group said it investigated odour reports made directly to the company and took action if a specific issue was identified.
