THERE are claims the terrible smell affecting the residents of Rodbourne comes from the borough council’s waste recycling and processing plant at Waterside Park.

But despite the claims of two sources, bosses at the plant insist the ‘Rodbourne Pong’ isn’t caused by holding waste at the complex.

The council runs the household waste recycling centre there – and also uses the site as a holding station for the recycling and waste it collects from the doorstep.

The unrecyclable waste is used by the authority’s wholly-owned company Public Power Solutions at the solid fuel recovery plant at the complex. Household rubbish, which would otherwise go to landfill, is dried and turned into fuel for the cement industry.

But some say the stockpiling of the waste could be the cause of the smell – described in the past as 'vomit-like' – drifting over nearby areas of town.

The Adver has seen an official borough council minute of a discussion between a senior council officer and a senior member of staff at Public Power Solutions.

The smell is brought up as a side-issue to the main discussion.

The minute said the borough council officer “asked about the issue re the smell, and the PPS officer said that there will still be a transfer station and waste processed on site so that will remain”.

While one interpretation of those words is that “the smell” referred to is the notorious Rodbourne Pong, PPS say they have been taken out of context and the reference is actually to the smell from waste in the immediate vicinity.

But another informant – someone with knowledge of how things work at the site – told the Adver it is the source.

Speaking anonymously, they said: “The smell is coming from the shed that the waste is kept in and when the shed is full the waste goes outside and is sat there for months. This is what causes the smell. It’s a very strong smell.”

Public Power Solutions managing director Bernie Brannan said the waste plant has been investigated and cleared by the Environment Agency.

He said: “We completely understand local concerns about the Rodbourne smell, and support Swindon Borough Council’s efforts to investigate and resolve the cause.

“The site at Waterside Park is regularly monitored for issues such as this by the Environment Agency who carried out an odour survey in June this year and no odour pollution was detected. PPS retains the best possible rating from the EA with zero non-conformances. 

“Furthermore, while our waste site is in continuous operation, the Rodbourne smell is only observed intermittently.”

Mr Brannan said the company would cooperate with specialist company Arup, which has been commissioned by the council to look into the source of the stink.

He said: “The council has appointed Arup to establish the cause and we will be working with them to provide the information they require about the waste processing plant, but we think that the current evidence suggests it is unlikely to be coming from Waterside Park. 

“It is in everyone’s interests for the matter to be resolved quickly and we will do everything we can to support these efforts.”

Ward councillor and Labour group leader Jim Grant is not mollified and believes the discussion between the council and PPS shows both parties believe the plant is the source of the smell. 

He said: “These revelations show the council and PPS have let down the people of Rodbourne who have been affected by the smell for years. 

“Last week I called for both the council and PPS to admit that PPS were the source of the smell so the Environment Agency could use their powers to help eradicate the smell immediately  and so taxpayers money wouldn’t be wasted by engaging a private company. 

“That both the council and PPS failed to do so just shows contempt for residents.”