ROTTEN food, garlic and dead flesh aren’t three words that you want to hear in combination – but, according to residents in Newton Aycliffe, the town is starting to smell of all three, and has done for some time.

As far as bad smells go, no homeowner wants to live in a location with a strange aroma.

However, after being contacted about the stench that’s been impacting resident in Newton Aycliffe for some time now, The Northern Echo have borrowed a nose peg and delved into the reason for this strange smell about the town – and are also calling on other members of the public to get in touch if they’ve become bombarded with the same “awful smell”.

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We were first alerted to the pongy discovery earlier this week when resident, Angela Addison, who lives in the Simpasture area of Newton Aycliffe and, at times, can’t even open her windows on her property for fear of filling her home with the smell.

Since first being impacted by the stench two years ago, the concerned resident has tried contacting MPs from County Durham and the Environment Agency but has got nowhere so far with her investigations.

She said: “For about the last two years, there is an awful smell in the town. Anyone living in the town must have smelt it.

The Northern Echo: Many homeowners in Newton Aycliffe have expressed their concerns with the odour that sometimes takes over the area.Many homeowners in Newton Aycliffe have expressed their concerns with the odour that sometimes takes over the area.

“Some days, you can’t open your windows for the smell. I have contacted the Environmental Agency on numerous occasions over the last two years, but nothing has been done about it. In fact, it’s worse than ever.

“I have contacted the local MP and he contacted me back saying the Environment Agency hadn’t had any complaints lately. Nobody seems interested and, meanwhile, we have to put up with this stench.”

After getting to the end of her tether, Angela has called on her fellow Newton Aycliffe residents to get in touch with the Environment Agency to report the smell to see if it will make any difference.

The Northern Echo: Some residents have said that they're scared to open their windows, while others have reported to feel sick because of the odour.Some residents have said that they're scared to open their windows, while others have reported to feel sick because of the odour.

She added: “I would like everyone who is fed up with this stink of rotten food/garlic/dead flesh to complain to the environment agency.”

After some further investigations, Angela isn’t the only resident that’s being affected by the smell. On social media, users have flocked to post about it, with one commenter saying: “What’s that bog awful smell that’s been hanging around the town for the last couple of days? That’s got to be a health hazard.”

Another concerned resident added: “Aycliffe stinks today – it’s knocking me sick. I phoned the council over the last couple of weeks, and guess what they said? We’ve received no complaints.”

Read more: County Durham: Environment Agency investigates compost centre

Despite those living in Aycliffe complaining, very few have been able to pinpoint the epicentre of the smell, with some offering the town’s industrial estate as the source of the stech.

However, the Environment Agency have now shone some light on the giant pong taking over Newton Aycliffe - saying that the Emerald Biogas plant on Preston Road could be the cause, and will investigate any breach of the conditions that are currently in place. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Agency said: "We regulate industry to protect people and the environment, and we take reports of nuisance odours very seriously.

The Northern Echo: The Environment Agency have shone a light on the smell in Newton Aycliffe, saying that it could be the Emerald Biogas plant. Photo: TOM BANKS.The Environment Agency have shone a light on the smell in Newton Aycliffe, saying that it could be the Emerald Biogas plant. Photo: TOM BANKS.

“The Emerald Biogas site accepts waste from the food and agricultural sectors for anaerobic digestion.

"This process can be smelly, so to maintain their environmental permit they must take steps to prevent odours escaping from the site. We will investigate any potential breaches of these conditions and take appropriate action.

“Waste odours can be distressing for those affected and we would urge anyone who experiences such pollution to report it to us on 0800 807060.”

Despite the statement from the Environment Agency, it has clarified that it "hasn’t substantiated the source of the odour".

The spokesperson added: "We’ve had only one complainant about the odours who has claimed that Emerald Biogas is the source."

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