17th March 2010
Last summer, it was reported that residents of Throop were suffering noxious smells from Berry Hill Sewage Works.
Cllr Ron Whittaker, also with the support of Forum, worked very hard to gain improvements on this site, but at the same time it was found that some of the odours were actually coming from the Eco Sustainable Solutions plant at Hurn.
Emily Pitts, Environment Officer, Bournemouth and Avon Environment management team, has supplied this briefing note:-
February 2010
In October 2009 we issued Eco Sustainable Solutions with two enforcement notices with regards to odour control; relating to the permits for green waste composting and in-vessel composting respectively.
The notices required the submission of an updated Odour Management Plan (OMP) showing all appropriate measures for odour control. An Odour Management Plan was submitted before the notices expired (on 4th January 2010) and was not approved - although it did go a long way towards showing all appropriate measures.
Eco Sustainable Solutions is now reviewing the Odour Management Plan which will be resubmitted within the next few weeks. Following on from this, we will make our decision on whether or not the enforcement notices have been complied with.
The company is making significant investments at the site - and this includes a new leachate lagoon with aerator. The operators are also installing mobile misting fans at key locations in an attempt to reduce odours. In addition they are also testing odour reducing products within the in-vessel composting and green waste sections of the site.
A variation of the permits is due to update the odour and bio aerosol conditions and potentially revise the permitted waste types. Prior to processing the application, the operator is being given the option of consolidating all three of its permits. This will make administration easier for both parties, and will also make regulation of odour conditions more effective.
Our work with the company has resulted in many improvements at the site - and we will continue to work closely with them to ensure compliance with their permits.
If you have any questions on this briefing note please contact Emily Pitts on 01258 483319 / emily.pitts@environment-agency.gov.uk
Environment Agency, Rivers House, Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road, Blandford, Dorset DT11 8ST