An MP is being called upon to take action against a controversial factory in his constituency.

Penrith and the Border MP, Dr Neil Hudson, has been targeted in a petition started by notorious grassroots activist Jeff Thomson.

Mr Thomson said: “People living in Penrith West are so disgruntled with smelly air they have started a petition calling on their local MP to take action.

“They want the MP to work with them to stop the infamous Penrith pong odour nuisance which continues to blight their lives.

“Within the first couple of days of being launched online, the petition reached 150 signatures, mostly local people.

“The Penrith pong is a long-running odour nuisance reputedly from an animal rendering plant on the west edge of the town

“It has been an issue in Penrith for many years.

“Residents are totally fed-up.”

The factory is owned and run by Omega Proteins and processes fish protein.

Dr Hudson said: ““Firstly, I’d like to thank Mr Thomson for his passionate campaigning on the issue for many years now.

“During this time, I’ve been in regular correspondence with Mr Thomson.

“I’ve met with him personally and made representations on his behalf to the Environment Agency, Omega Proteins, and local councils. 

“Beyond this, I have met with the managing director of Omega Proteins, discussing the works being carried out on the site and how these are planned to help mitigate the odours coming from the site. 

“I also continue to meet regularly with the local council and Environment Agency about this important situation, having been in contact as recently as this week.  

“I was therefore disappointed to see that Mr Thomson had initiated a petition inferring that I have been inactive on this issue and not represented my constituents.  

“As someone who is proud to represent our brilliant communities across Penrith and The Border, regularly stands up for better environmental protection in the Commons chamber and as a member of the EFRA select committee,  I am more than aware of this situation we experience in Penrith and am passionate about the vital need for clean air.”

A spokesman for the Leo Group, which owns and operates the Omega Proteins site, said: “We have had many failed attempts to engage with Mr Thomson, but due to his ulterior motives we have now stopped pursuing that option.

“We would be delighted for MP Neil Hudson, plus other residents, to visit our Penrith plant, so they can see first-hand the recent, sustainable improvements, that have already been completed.

“These upgrades include a new raw material trailer shed, automated washing systems and onsite species separation. 

“We have also made energy efficient improvements, including building enhancements and a heat recovery system, which in the current economic climate is imperative.

“Water recovery systems and reed bed filters – which means our wastewater is cleaner than that of major utility companies that discharge to rivers – are benefitting the environment.

“We are also actively investigating the possibility of implementing a district heating system, which can provide sustainable heat to the local community.

“Our odour hotline - where we attend calls within 20 minutes to check and verify the existence of perceived odours – is still operational.

“This has proved the existence of other odour sources in the area, which we are often wrongly blamed for.

“The public need to understand that with the food they take for granted, there are by-products which have to be processed.

“The products we make go for use in products such as pet food, biodiesel, aeroplane fuel and fish feed.”

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