News Farm creates vile stench claim locals
The row over a composting site at a farm near Spaldington continues, with residents claiming they are facing a "vile stench" daily from Ivy House Farm.
East Riding planning committee recently objected to Mr Andrew Ashton increasing the range of materials he is permitted to composts after complaints from nearby residents about "offensive odours".
Mr Ashton originally applied for a variation of his permission to allow him to compost beefburgers, fleece trimmings, prawn shells and sewage sludge, amongst other things, sparking outrage amongst villagers and campaigners.
Howdenshire ward councillor Paul Robinson said: "Many people will have noticed the vile stench that is drifting over some Howdenshire villages, and has done for a while now.
"It appears that a small section of the East Riding is being blighted by the cumulative impact of 'so-called' composters operating in and around Holme on Spalding Moor, Spaldington, Wressle and Brind.
"The ERYC has given planning permission for composting, assuming that composting is a positive step in reducing landfill, although some people are saying this is exactly the same as landfill - but only spread nine inches deep.
"The ERYC had not realised exactly what the impact on communities was going to be."
Inspection, regulation and enforcement of composting and the approval of premises to process and handle animal by-products is granted by Animal Health, an agency of DEFRA, whilst other aspects of the process are dealt with by the Environment Agency and the Council.
Cllr Robinson added: "This is disjointed and wholly inadequate and I think a much more united and robust policing system is required.
"Meanwhile I think we must start to make the farmers tell us more about what is supposed to happen, especially the range of material composted and particularly the geographic origin, the storage of this so-called compost and the days of spreading - so a different regime of enforcement can be applied.
"I have requested the regulation and the composting industry be looked into by ERYC Environment and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This is to happen in the New Year."
Published on 4th October 2007 in News.
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