Landfill firm accepts site affecting people's 'quality of life'

The operator of a tip that has provoked thousands of complaints about smells has accepted a finding that it affects people's quality of life.

Transwaste was responding to the conclusions of a Lancashire County Council investigation into odours coming from its site in Jameson Road in Fleetwood.

The firm said, however, that there was a distinction between affecting people's quality of life and causing them harm.

Alison Rowe, who lives near the site, said Transwaste's acknowledgment was not enough, adding the smell was "ruining the town".

More than 20,000 complaints have been made about smells coming from the site, which some people have described as being like rotten eggs.

People who have complained have also said their health was being affected by the site.

A Lancashire County Council investigation found the odours were contributing to "ongoing symptoms" such as stress and sleep disturbance.

But pollutants were found to be below a level that could cause harm.

Evidence from environmental monitoring and NHS data showed that people living nearby have reported a range of symptoms linked to odour exposure including headaches, nausea, breathing irritation and anxiety, along with disruption to sleep and overall quality of life.

The report said levels of pollutants were found to be below those associated with toxic harm.

Transwaste's permit was recently changed to stop is taking waste that was likely to produce smells.

Rowe, who said she lives half a mile away from the site, said the smell "hasn't been as bad" since its permit had changed it was still a "living nightmare" living near the site and wants it closed.

"It isn't fair on the people of Fleetwood. We don't deserve this.

"It is a seaside town and it is putting visitors off from coming here."

She added: "People can't sell their houses either because of the stench."

Lancashire's director of public health, Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, has written to the Environment Agency setting out a number of recommendations, including targeted monitoring in affected residential areas.

Transwaste said in response to the review it "acknowledges that odour nuisance can affect quality of life, and we take that seriously".

But it added: "There is, however, a meaningful and important distinction between odour nuisance and toxicological harm."

It went on to say: "The LCC's own report draws that distinction clearly. The report's recommendation is that the EA works with the operator to strengthen odour mitigation and management."

The operator added it was "fully committed to that process and to working constructively with the EA, which continues to monitor air quality at the site".

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