Deeside’s soggy mop stench – “significant lines of enquiry now being pursued” says Flintshire Council
Flintshire council has provided an update on the persistent and invasive stench – likened to a ‘soggy mop’ or ‘damp, rotting clothes’ – which has been troubling the residents of Deeside for months.
The lingering smell has led to hundreds of complaints and a joint letter from local councillors to Flintshire County Council (FCC), calling for action.
The odour, which reportedly intensifies around the Chemistry Lane area of Pentre, has been affecting various parts of the community, depending on wind direction.
The relentless smell has significantly diminished the quality of life for residents, compelling them to shut windows and doors, avoid hanging laundry outside, and limit children’s outdoor activities.
The council has said today it is “doing all we can to get to the source of this odour” and some significant lines of enquiry are now being pursued.
In a statement, the council said: “Flintshire County Council’s environmental health service is investigating odour complaints covering an area from Connah’s Quay to Sandycroft.”
“The first formal complaint was received at the end of April 2023, and since then, the council has been working alongside Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to identify the source of the odour.”
The statement goes on to say: “Officers have visited and assessed local businesses who emit waste products into the environment as part of their operation, as well as several smaller sites in the Sandycroft area where most of the complaints have been received.”
Cabinet Member for Planning, Public Health and Public Protection, Councillor Chris Bithell, said: “I can assure residents that we are doing all we can to get to the source of this odour. As a result of the work undertaken by the council and NRW, some significant lines of enquiry are now being pursued.
“We are in the process of appointing an independent odour specialist to try and confirm the source or sources. In the meantime, we ask residents to continue reporting incidents to us. As part of the investigation, we have requested a sample group of residents to log when the odour affects them, the frequency and intensity.”
To report an odour, call 01352 703440 or e-mail Pollution.Control@flintshire.
A Facebook group has been set up to collate reports from local residents, noting the times and locations where the smell is most potent.
You can join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/917373942901754/
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