Limit placed on piggery to reduce risk of smells

From the archive, first published Friday 7th Oct 2005.

THE smell that has hung over Bradford on Avon for years could finally be gone unless a pig farmer kicks up a stink.

West Wiltshire District Council has rejected an application from farmer Nicholas Compton for a permit to carry out animal rendering processes at Fairfield Piggeries, Bradford Leigh.

Mr Compton says if he has to close the waste processing plants, which produce pig feed and fertiliser from dead birds and fish waste, his 1,500 pigs will not provide enough income for him and his family.

The site had previously claimed an agricultural exemption and did not need an operating licence to produce the feed.

But the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations Act 2000 states all farms running a rendering plant with a treatment capacity of more than 10 tonnes a day must have a permit.

Mr Compton applied for the licence in April but was turned down this week.

He can continue producing less than 10 tonnes a day and says he will appeal to the Secretary of State.

Residents living near the farm voiced their relief at the council's decision.

Vernon Gibbs, 71, of Sladesbrook, lives 400 metres from the site and wrote to the council to voice hs concern. He said: "We welcome anything the district council can do to improve the problem. There is a pretty pungent smell and it is very unplesant. The smells have been here off and on since we moved here 14 years ago."

Cllr Gordon Cox, the council's environmental health portfolio holder, said: "This site has been a thorn in the side of local residents for years and there is a long history of complaints about the strong odours that are caused by the processes there.

"We have made it clear to the operators time and time again what needs to be done, but the problems have continued.

"The new legislation has given us additional powers, and we will use them to the best of our ability."

The council refused permission because they do not think he is competent to run the operation and abide by the conditions to prevent smells upsetting neighbours.

Mr Compton said: "Everybody wants recycling but they don't want it in their back yard. That is what we are doing, recycling agricultural waste. I think it is often people coming into the area that are complaining, not Bradfordians.

"It came as a bit of a shock and we will definitely appeal against their decision. We live in a democracy and the council has just one view.

"There are two or three more appeals which I can go through. We have spent a lot of time and money incinerating the smells but the council don't seem to agree."

Environmental health manager John Carter said: "During this latest consultation period, we received a further 18 letters from local residents objecting to us granting a permit. We also received 11 odour complaints from local residents during the same four weeks. We have reconsidered all of the information available to us and, as a result, have informed Mr Compton that we have refused his application."

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