A TOTAL of 989 odour complaints have been reported to the Environment Agency from the Penrith area in 2024 so far.

The concerns were raised in the first nine months of 2024, with allegations levelled at Omega Proteins as the source of the smell, an animal rendering plant on Penrith's outskirts. 

The information, obtained by environmental campaign group Fresh AIR for Penrith through a Freedom of Information request, is said to provide further evidence of an ongoing issue that has plagued the area for years.

Fresh AIR for Penrith campaigner, Jeff Thomson, said: "It is still an issue affecting local people with no agency, department or council formally establishing the source.

"No one is taking specific action to bring the odour nuisance to an end."

Mr Thomson acknowledged the Environment Agency's increased efforts on the issue but remained cautious of local councils including Penrith Town and Westmorland & Furness.

He said: "The town council has shown itself to be totally uninterested, while we still await the outcome of the Westmorland & Furness's investigation into 2023’s 1,367 odour reports to see if any constitute a statutory nuisance."

Read more: Penrith factory breached environmental permit 40 times in five years

He said the latest date given by the council for an update is December 16.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We understand the impact odours have on people living and working nearby.

"On our most recent inspection of Omega Proteins last week (October 31), we found no breaches of its environmental permit.

"We also observed some of the ongoing building work that will improve odour control.

"We carry out regular site inspections, which include auditing gas emission controls, and continue to have discussions with the operator about managing odours from the site."

The Environment Agency said they would like residents to continue reporting odour in the Penrith area to them as it helps build a picture of its extent and impact. Reports can be made 24 hours a day on 0800 807060.

In August, there was an increase in the number of reports to the incident hotline number.

The site was inspected twice in August, and officers were sent out to survey the extent of any odour pollution.

No breaches of the Environmental Permit were found at the time.

 Leo Group, the parent company of Omega Proteins, was approached for comment.