THE Environment Agency has responded to calls for a waste plant to have its operating permit withdrawn.

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury and Cheshire West and Chester councillor Sam Naylor want to see Renescience’s permit revoked following several years of complaints about the odour.

They are asking residents and businesses to report every incident to the Environment Agency, which has now weighed in on the situation.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of occasional complaints of odour from the Renescience Waste treatment plant in Northwich.  We have not always been able to verify complaints of odour when undertaking investigations, however we continue to monitor the situation under our regulatory role.

“At the Environment Agency, we are committed to following up any reports of odour and we routinely regulate the site, including unannounced visits, to do remote odour checks.

“We take reports of odours at permitted waste sites very seriously and recognise the concern and nuisance it can cause to local communities. We encourage the community to report their concerns directly to us via our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 so we can investigate further.”

READ MORE: Call for ‘smelly’ waste plant’s permit to be withdrawn over odour complaints

Northwich Guardian: Councillor Sam Naylor and MP Mike Amesbury Councillor Sam Naylor and MP Mike Amesbury (Image: Mike Amesbury)

It is understood an Odour Management Plan should be completed by the end of the year, ensuring the best available technology is being used.

The plant in Lostock Gralam is operated Ørsted.

A spokesperson for the company claimed that the source of the smell is not always their fault.

They said: “We have been actively working with our local stakeholders and the EA to respond to concerns, acting rapidly and investigating complaints of odour at source, as well as at complainants' locations.

"Each time, we investigate thoroughly and sometimes we have been able to link an odour to our site but this is not always the case.

"Regularly, there are occasions when there is no issue on site, leaving us unable to take responsibility for other sources of odour.”

Mr Amesbury and councillor Naylor recently met with the Environment Agency.

Speaking after the meeting the MP said: “I know some people have lost faith in the process and have stopped reporting incidents because this has been going on so long.

“But it would be really helpful if residents can contact the Environment Agency whenever there is an odour, ideally at the time, to shine a light on what the community is enduring.”