'We need answers - and we need action': Leamington residents endure yet another miserable summer of rancid smells and flies
Leamington residents have endured another summer of rancid smells and flies, with hundreds more complaints having been lodged.
And now as they approach a fourth year of misery, angry campaigners are once again demanding accountability.
As we have frequently reported, neighbours have been facing foul odours and flies in areas of Leamington, Whitnash, Warwick Gates, Heathcote and Warwick since 2022.
Parents have been draping fly nets over cots, children can't eat dinner without flies crawling into their mouths and others have reported falling ill due to the plague of flies blighting the area.
They blame the recycling plant Amcor off Tachbrook Road, formerly known as Berry Circular Polymers, which is regulated by the Environment Agency (EA).
Campaign group RAPID (Residents Against Pollution and Industrial Damage) said in just May, June, July and August this year, over 350 complaints were filed, on top of the many more over the past three years. The group is demanding more accountability from the EA and Warwick District Council (WDC).
"The latest awful surge in odours, which lasted two weeks in early September, capped off a summer of misery for local homeowners and families," said a spokesperson for RAPID.
“This is not a new issue, we are talking about entering a fourth year of these odours and flies. Local people have been patient and have been doing their bit by making real time complaints for well over two years. The EA and WDC have had more than enough time to act, and yet the pollution continues. We need answers - and we need action.”
The community is now demanding an urgent public meeting with senior representatives from the EA, WDC and local MP Matt Western, who has raised the issue in Parliament, describing it as a "public health risk".
RAPID said it wants to see a transparent summary of all enforcement actions taken to date; a time-bound action plan from the EA detailing how it will end the pollution; transparency from the WDC on what they continue to do on this matter; and a commitment to proactive communication with the community moving forward.
Amcor denies it is behind the smells and says it is operating in compliance with regulators.
A spokesperson said: "Since becoming the owner of the Leamington Spa recycling facility on April 30 this year, we’ve undertaken a thorough review of operations and continue working with the Environment Agency (EA) and local authorities.
"The EA has been undertaking regular visits to both the site and surrounding residential areas to monitor for odour, and we receive monthly Compliance Odour Monitoring reports detailing their findings. The reports received to date confirmed compliance of our operations, including in regard to odour.
"We value communication and engagement with local stakeholders."
A spokesperson for the EA said: "We are aware that odour issues continue within the community, and, because of this, we have significantly increased the number of visits and requirements on the site in relation to odour. Our last visit was on September 23.
“Following an audit of the wastewater treatment plant, we required the owners to complete a full assessment of all odour sources. "This will allow better identification of the sources of the odour. Once we have reviewed the assessment, we will update our engagement HQ webpage.”
A spokesperson for WDC said: “The lead regulator for the site is the Environment Agency, and Warwick District Council are continuing to liaise and work with residents to support them. The council’s officers are also continuing to assist the Environment Agency with their investigation."
Further information can be found on the council’s website: Frequently asked questions - Odours and flies in the Heathcote and Whitnash area - Warwick District Council.
Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, has been putting pressure on the EA to solve the problem and previously told The Courier and Weekly News that he was keen to undertake another unannounced visit to Berry Circular Polymers, having previously visited in 2023.
Despite the fact that the business did not allow that request, he is now hopeful that a new audit at the site by the EA will help shed light on the issues – and he has also written to Berry Polymers, requesting information on what chemicals they use on site and what odours these are known to have.
He added: “I remain very concerned by the impact this issue is having on hundreds, if not thousands of residents, particularly given so many have reported the odour being so foul in recent days and weeks and how awful it is. Having personally smelt the odour, I have relayed how foul it is to the relevant agencies.
“I recently met twice with the Environment Agency to stress the urgent need for action on the odour and the need to find a resolution, so residents do not have to suffer any longer with this issue.
“Due to the long ongoing nature of the problem and how deeply unpleasant it is, I did request to meet with a senior team member at the EA. As a result, I met with the executive director of local operations at the EA and stressed the severity of the issue at this high level.
“At this moment in time, is my understanding that the EA are currently undertaking another audit at the site and I have requested an update once completed.
He added: “I have also written to Berry Polymers to inform them on the serious concerns of residents, and I have requested information regarding what chemicals they use on site and what odours these are known to have.
“I look forward to the responses from Amcor (formerly Berry Circular Polymers) and the Environment Agency, and I will plan to arrange a meeting with the relevant stakeholders once I have received these responses.”