‘The stench is in the wrong place. Imagine being in a hospital bed, ill or worse. Would you want that putrid smell choking you?’ one resident asked
The Wastewise proposal incorporates a range of pollution control measures (Image: FCC Environment – Wastewise)
A large bio-waste and waste recovery site in the Willerby area has launched a consultation as it looks to significantly expand and develop the site. Local residents have lodged sustained complaints over the years, highlighting the stench and ‘putrid smells’ emanating from the site.
The expansion of the Wastewise site, on Albion Lane, could see it receiving, managing and sorting waste from recycling centres and from kerbside collections across the East Riding. The plans could also mean the facility receiving residual household and commercial waste and carrying out shredding of waste prior to energy recovery.
The ambitious proposal is from FCC Environment, the operator of the site (which used to be known as Biowise). The new plans could allow for the removal of recyclable material and the storage and bulking of a range of waste streams, including street sweepings.
The team behind the plans hope to alleviate some of the residents’ concerns about the smells, which bother many local people throughout the year. The plans promise to explore ways to minimise the ongoing smell problem by making improvements to the composting area, described as the ‘existing aerated static pile compost maturation area’.
There are no plans to scale back the size of the composting area. The proposal states: “Currently, FCC’s preferred approach is to retain and enhance the current ASP facility within its existing location, ensuring continued operational efficiency while delivering environmental and operational improvements.”
This would be delivered through a commitment to being a ‘good neighbour’, the plans state: “The proposal incorporates a range of pollution control measures and would include a thorough soft landscaping scheme and ecological enhancements.”
“A sensitive design solution is also proposed for the Waste Recovery and Transfer Facility with the building designed to resemble an agricultural style building,” it adds.
One Facebook user has shared concerns the site already has a negative impact on people recovering at the nearby Castle Hill Hospital, stating: “The stench is in the wrong place. Imagine being in a hospital bed, ill or worse. Would you want that putrid smell choking you?”
A long-standing issue for residents
Cllr Zahra Saribal (Conservative – Willerby and Kirk Ella ward) said FCC Environment should not underestimate the strength of feeling locally because the smell sometimes makes it impossible for local people to enjoy their gardens. She said: “I live in Kirk Ella myself and there have been occasions when I’ve experienced the smell too. Residents have told me that it affects their enjoyment of their homes, gardens and local environment, and that is understandably frustrating. I’ve been listening to residents’ concerns for years and regularly raising them directly with the company, council officers and the Environment Agency through the community liaison meetings. Residents deserve to be heard and taken seriously, and that’s exactly what I’ve been working to do.”
Cllr Saribal said the smell is a long-standing issue that needs to be tackled with great urgency(Image: Cllr Saribal )
Cllr Saribal said the smell is a long-standing issue that needs to be tackled with some urgency. She added: “Complaints and investigations go back several years and it’s been discussed repeatedly at Community Liaison Meetings involving councillors, regulators and the company. I’ve attended those meetings throughout and have continued to press for answers and improvements because residents expect us to keep pushing until we see meaningful progress. As someone who lives locally, I understand why residents want lasting solutions rather than short-term fixes.”
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However, the councillor believes an investment in the site should be cautiously welcomed – especially if the improvements to the site are focused on the composting area and its dreaded smells.
“Any investment that has the potential to reduce odours and improve environmental performance deserves to be considered positively. The proposals include more enclosed waste handling and additional environmental controls, which could be beneficial. However, residents have every right to be cautious because they’ve been living with concerns for a long time,” Cllr Saribal said.
“My position is that we should judge these plans on results, not promises. Any development must include strong safeguards, independent monitoring, transparency and clear accountability so residents can have confidence that improvements will genuinely be delivered.”
She explained the new facility had the potential to modernise waste management and introduce additional environmental controls, which could bring benefits across the East Riding.
Cllr Saribal added: “However, the real test will be whether local residents notice a genuine reduction in odour. Success won’t be measured by plans on paper. It will be measured by whether residents notice a real improvement in their quality of life. My job is to make sure local people have a strong voice in that process, and that’s exactly what I’ll continue to do.”
Does the plan go far enough in tackling ‘the stink’?
Many local residents are worried the plans to not go far enough in tackling smell issues. One Facebook user commented on the plans and said: “The stink will still be there but with the added nuisance of more traffic, noise and, more than likely, more odours.”
Another Facebook user believes the smell often gets worse at unexpected times: “I think it smells more outside normal working hours as though they turn something off for the night or weekend then the smell starts up. We shouldn’t have to live like this.”
The Wastewise proposal incorporates a range of pollution control measures (Image: FCC Environment – Wastewise)
A drop-in public session was held at the Village Hotel, on Henry Boot Way in Hull, earlier this month. FCC Environment is welcoming further input from local residents and people from across East Yorkshire ahead of a final shaping of the plans before they go before East Riding Council planning committee.
FCC Environment is an organisation that helps local authorities and businesses minimise the amount of waste that goes to landfill by transforming it into resources. It promises to consider all comments for the East Riding expansion, with residents asked to email north@consultation-online.co.uk or fill in the online consultation before October 8th.
It is possible to report bad smells in the area through East Riding Council’s website too.
To find planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal.