Bradford factory’s emissions and odours to be monitored

Actions to try and tackle concerns about odours and emissions from a factory in Bradford have been agreed by councillors.

The Waddingtons plant, off Leeds Road, converts dead livestock, zoo animals and roadkill from across the country into biofuels and other by-products.

Earlier this year, campaigners demanded urgent action to deal with what people living nearby said was an “unbearable stench” coming from the site.

Bradford City Council has said actions being planned to tackle the issue included a dedicated Environmental Health Officer to carry out regular inspections and the commissioning of a specialist firm to undertake air quality and odour assessments.

Waddingtons’ parent company JG Pears has been asked for comment, but previously said it made “great efforts to minimise odours beyond the site boundary”, adding that it operated “within the strict requirements” of its permit.

Complaints about odours from the factory gathered pace during the summer, with the launch of a petition by residents in the area calling for action and campaigners also writing to the council.

Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for healthy people and places, has said the authority was committed to addressing the concerns raised by residents.

“Strong smells can seriously affect people’s quality of life, which is why we instructed Waddingtons to improve its odour controls,” she said.

“We will continue to monitor odour levels and check that Waddingtons maintains effective control measures.

“If residents continue to experience problems, they should report them directly to the council so we can investigate promptly.”

The council said that as part of the action agreed, the dedicated officer’s inspections of the site and ongoing monitoring would enable “timely discussions with the business to address any further concerns about emissions”.

The specialist company would also check on chimney emissions, the council said.

“The company will provide independent evidence based on ambient air samples being taken to capture airborne odours from within the premises and from the external environment around the premises,” a spokesperson for the authority said.

This would enable the council and residents to have “clear, independent information”, they explained.

“Where improvements are required, Waddingtons will be held to account to make sure they are delivered and continued compliance will be monitored closely,” they added.

The plant has been operating since 1947 and was previously an abattoir.

It holds Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs category 1 rendering licence, allowing it to process diseased animal remains.