Abattoir neighbours kick up a stink (From Western Telegraph)

Abattoir neighbours kick up a stink

4:10pm Saturday 6th October 2012 in County News

Neighbours have been kicking up a stink about a bad smell believed to be coming from a Haverfordwest abattoir.

A collective letter of complaint signed by a number of businesses near Pembrokeshire Meat Company Ltd at Withybush industrial estate, issued by Mainport Training Ltd, is calling for more to be done to stop the smell.

Linda Reohorn, whose company offices are nearby, said that at times “it will be absolutely stinking up here, literally enough to make you sick. Nothing ever gets done”.

Keith Young of L. H. Evans said that although the business was further away from the abattoir the smell remained an issue at times.

“It’s quite a stench in the air, it’s not very pleasant for staff and customers and we’re probably one of the ones least affected.”

But other neighbours felt there was no longer an issue.

Martin Green, of Greens Motors, said: “Since the complaint was raised there has not been a single issue – they have been model neighbours ever since.”

A solicitor for the company told the Western Telegraph: “Pembrokeshire Meat Company is a successful business which has operated from their current site without complaint for a number of years.

“We confirm that the Pembrokeshire Meat Company operate their business within current guidelines and fully comply with legislation established in relation to the operation of their business premises.

“We believe the complaints to be vexatious in nature.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said that officers from the authority and other agencies visit the abattoir regularly for routine visits and in response to any complaints received.

“This is to ensure that the company adheres to existing conditions in order to minimise problems around the site.

“This includes ascertaining that the company is utilising all the mitigation measures available to minimise the odour from the site.

“At this time a statutory odour nuisance has not been witnessed and therefore no legal action is currently proposed by the council.”

He added that if anyone noticed a problem with odour they should report it as soon as possible so the matter could be investigated promptly.