Penrith MP to Host Public Meeting to Discuss The ‘Penrith Pong’

Penrith MP Markus Campbell-Savours has announced he is to hold a public meeting later this month to discuss the ‘Penrith Pong’.

The meeting, on Thursday 25th September, comes after 250 people responded to a survey earlier this year run by the MP about the smell which frequently lingers over the town.

Markus Campbell-Savours said: “I want to discuss the findings of my survey and how the industrial odours affect my constituents. I have collected data and met with the Environment Agency and Westmorland and Furness Council and now want to sit face to face with residents to hear how it is impacting their lives.”

“My team and I will be joined by the tireless campaigner against the problem - Jeff Thomson – from Fresh Air for Penrith. Please come along to Castletown Community Centre and share your experience.”

The public meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday 25th September at Castletown Community Centre.

Markus Campbell-Savours added “Please do take the time to report smells to the Environment Agency every time you are affected by the smell”.

You can do this Online at:  https://www.gov.uk/report-environmental-problem

Or by Emailing: incident_communication_service@environment-agency.gov.uk

Alternative you can telephone the environment agency hotline on: 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours a day)

Following an email sent by the MP to members of the community who completed the survey including details on the Penrith Omega factory regarding odour reporting the company has responded with a statement saying “We are once again extremely disappointed that our MP, Markus Campbell-Savours, has ignored repeated attempts from Leo Group to engage with him. Instead, he continues to place blame on Omega Proteins for local odour complaints without providing any substantiated evidence.”

“By refusing to meet with us, or even extend an invitation to his meeting, he has denied both us and the wider public the opportunity for open and constructive discussion. This one-sided and selective approach fails his constituents and undermines the principle of fair and balanced representation.”

“As one of several industrial operations in the area, we have every right to be part of these discussions. For that reason, Leo Group will attend the meeting to ensure our position is represented and to press for a fair, balanced, and transparent dialogue.”