Residents Kick Up Stink Over Waste Processing Plant

By Daniel Lynch and Emma Wilkinson

Residents of Frizinghall say they are at the end of their tether because of the smell from a nearby waste processing plant.




According to people living near the plant, it's original purpose was for the processing of skip waste, but around two years ago black bin waste began to arrive at the facility on Canal Road.

Residents say when they complained of the smell to Environmental Health Agency, efforts were made to enclose the rubbish in an air-conditioned building. It was promised that this would contain the smell which was particularly putrid on warmer days.

Despite the assurances, protestors submitted a petition to Bradford City Council to block the plans for the building enclosure with homeowners saying the facility was too close to a residential area.

Phil Goode, who lives near the plant, told BCB: "You can't go out in your own garden because of the sour smell of rotting rubbish. That site stinks every day."

"The air conditioning unit doesn't seem to have had any affect at all. On warm days they have to have the doors open which makes the roof useless because the smell just gets out."

He also says the rubbish poses a health issue for residents and schools near the plant.

Business Development Director for the plant, Tim Shapcot, said the company are working to ease the problem.

"Our job as a reputable waste management company is to ensure that we are maintaining the amenity as part of our planning permission and our waste management license."

Mr. Shapcot said the roof has made a difference, contrary to what residents say, and that more is being done to control the odour.

"The roof has actually contained the smells. We do have some issues with airflow in the building and that's what we're currently working on. I'm fairly confident that in the next two weeks or so that a lot of those problems will be eradicated."