Lancashire County Council investigate source of Leyland's 'big stink' which is making people sick
Some locals have been made physically sick by the smell.
A noxious odour is wafting through Leyland and making people sick - but its source is still a mystery.
“It gets into the back of your throat and I’ve actually been sick a couple of times,” says one resident in Farington Moss, who suspects he knows exactly where the stench is coming from.
Lancashire County Council say they believe they know where the foul odour is emanating from, but are still investigating what is behind Leyland’s ‘big stink’.
The Post made enquiries with the Council who told us they are ‘aware of this issue’.
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“It’s been going on for a while now,” says a resident who lives in Bispham Avenue, next to Lancashire Business Park.
“And it’s not just when its hot weather. You can smell it most days and nights. You can’t even go into the garden, it’s that bad.
“It’s made me physically sick. Sometimes they let the smell out at night, as late as 9pm. I don’t know what they’re up to, but I think I know where its coming from”, he told the Post.
“I’ve been on to Environmental Health and so have some of my neighbours, but we just get given a case number and nothing comes from it.”
So, who’s behind the Leyland stink?
Those living around Farington Moss believe the odour is coming from Lancashire Renewables, who operate a waste treatment facility on Lancashire Business Park.
Lancashire County Council hold an 87.5% share in the company, alongside Blackpool Council. Their facility shreds and mechanically treats black bin bag waste to recover recyclable metals and a combustible product known as refuse derived fuel.
But the Council say it’s not Lancashire Renewables who are to blame for the fetid smell wafting through town.
A spokesman for Lancashire County Council told the Post: “We are aware of concerns about odour in the Leyland area and understand the impact this can have on residents.
"Based on current monitoring and independent assessments carried out in response to complaints, Lancashire Renewables has found no evidence that the reported odours are coming from its site.
"Work is ongoing with relevant partners and regulatory bodies to investigate the issue, identify the source, and ensure appropriate measures are in place to minimise any impact on the surrounding community.
"The new anaerobic digestion facility is still under construction and is not yet operational, so it cannot be the source of the reported odours. In the meantime, food waste is being processed using existing facilities on site.”
The Post will continue to push Lancashire County Council for the culprit behind Leyland’s ‘big stink’. But for now, keep that nose peg handy...