Acomb ward councillors have been told by the Environment Agency that foul smells coming from Harewood Whin could be about to end. The odours that have been tormenting residents for years should end by 3rd November when remedial works on a gas transmission pipe on the site are finally completed.

Coun. Tracey Simpson-Laing said:

"I sincerely hope that this is the end of the problems residents have been suffering over the last 2 years. On some days the smell can be enough to make people physically ill. I am concerned that this has taken so long to get sorted out but my main concern now is the future. Harewood Whin is a large site and the issues concerning methane will be with us for a long time. Residents have been told on a number of occasions that the issue was been sorted and yet the smell has continued. The breach of environmental laws must stop".

Coun. David Horton notes:

"This has been the number one complaint of residents and the fact that YorWaste has taken so long to sort out the problem gives me great concern over the effective management of the site, both now and in the future when it has been decommissioned".

An audit of the site's permit conditions is expected to be undertaken by 10th November by which time the Environment Agency expects the site's operator, YorWaste, to be in compliance. Acomb Ward Councillors will, along with residents, monitor the situation and are expecting immediate action if the smell returns, including full use of environmental fines where appropriate.