Councillors in Penrith are being accused of failing to consider residents when they discuss planning applications linked to Omega Proteins.
Planning applications passed by Westmorland and Furness Council for the Penrith-based Omega Proteins animal-rendering plant have been opposed by a group campaigning for an to end the so-called ‘Penrith Pong’ the factory is alleged to be the source of although the environment agency has previously said that it has identified eight locations around Penrith linked to odour emissions.
Last year there were 1367 odour pollution reports to the Environment Agency from the Penrith area. The source of the odour is highly controversial, and disputed, with Westmorland & Furness Council environmental health department currently investigating to establish if any constitute a statutory nuisance.
Earlier this month Westmorland & Furness Council, Eden area planning committee approved further planning application from the company. Plans linked to a new road access and the creation of a district heat network to use waste heat from the factory to heat Newton Rigg and nearby Farm owned by the parent company of Omega Proteins.
Former Town Councillor Jeff Thomson of the Fresh AIR for Penrith environmental campaign said “We have long been calling for a review of this site’s planning processes. Rather, than the individual, piecemeal planning applications, we need to see a ‘big picture’ planning process.
“The site is on the edge of Penrith, backed by the Lake District National Park, and is already heavily industrialised with chimney stacks, vapour plumes and increasing heavy transport movement.”
The site has been visited by various Penrith town and Westmorland & Furness councillors.
Thomson said: “Councillors seem happy to go along and listen to Omega Proteins, but they fail to listen to, or consult with, local residents, local community, council taxpayers.
“We want councillors who make planning decisions to have spoken to both sides, listened to both opinions, and take a balanced decision. They are not doing that.”
“They do not consult with local people, fail to hold ward surgeries and make decisions without accessing the impact of their decisions on the local community and environment.”
Mr Thomson is calling for Westmorland & Furness Council, and its councillors, to review their community-consultation procedures.”
“At the moment there aren’t any. Residents are being ignored,” Mr Thomson said.
In response a Westmorland and Furness Council spokesperson said “Whilst we understand calls for an overarching planning application for the future development intentions of the Omega Proteins site, it’s not within the council’s power to make this happen. All current and future planning applications must be assessed on their individual merits in line with planning law and guidance.”
“All Omega Proteins planning applications are referred to the council’s planning committee for determination. A comprehensive written report for each one is produced and circulated to members of the planning committee a week in advance of the meeting so that they are aware of the proposals and the issues to be considered.”
“The applications are then subject to standard publicity arrangements written down in planning law. Site notices are displayed outside the site and any residents who live close by to the Omega site are sent notification letters. Anyone interested is entitled to provide written comments for consideration within a 21 day period. This is the legal required time period but we, as a local planning authority, invariably accept written comments received afterwards and before a decision is taken.”
“Local people will continue to have opportunities to comment on planning applications submitted in respect of the Omega site and their views will continue to be reported to members of the planning committee. The council will also continue to determine the outcomes of planning applications at this site and other sites without favour, prejudice or bias.”
“Additionally, Westmorland and Furness Council is currently undertaking a statutory nuisance investigation following complaints about odour associated with the Omega Proteins rendering plant. We expect to be able to conclude the investigation by the end of September. If a statutory nuisance is identified through the investigation, the council will take appropriate further action such as serving abatement notices.”
The council added that any complaints about odour in Penrith should be directed to the Environment Agency, on their 24-hour incident hotline, 0800 80 70 60, to enable investigations to be undertaken.
A spokesperson for the Leo Group who operate the Omega Proteins plant West of Penrith, said ““It is the Council’s responsibility to undertake public consultation when a planning application is made. Normally that involves notifying immediate neighbours.
“All planning applications are publicly available on the Council’s planning portal. Residents who wish to comment on a proposal can do so on the portal or by writing to the Council.
“There are circumstances in which community consultation is required, explained in the Council’s July 2023 planning application validation guidance notes. None of the current applications submitted by Omega Proteins required pre-application community consultation to comply with the Council’s planning validation requirements.”
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