From disrupted weddings to school runs blighted by foul air, residents across Tiverton have described the growing toll of a persistent smell that continues to affect homes, businesses and daily routines.
Following a public meeting on Friday, April 17 and fresh intervention from Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour, locals have now spoken out in detail about how the odour is impacting their lives – with many calling for clearer communication and urgent action.
Among those raising concerns is Tara Fraser, who lives at Ashley Court, one of the closest residential areas to the sewage treatment works.
She said the issue is not only unpleasant but is now affecting her livelihood.
Ms Fraser said: “We have a venue and we have weddings and things like that, but who wants to smell that for their weddings? Nobody.”
She added that while residents want a long-term solution, better communication would at least allow people to plan around the issue.
Ms Fraser said: “We would really like to at the least want to know when the smell is going to come, so if they are not going to stop doing it they need to say when it is, and it cannot be on the weekend.”
Other residents described a range of different smells and raised concerns about what is being transported to and processed at the site.
Henry Williams claimed materials beyond sewage sludge may be involved.
He said: “Could I just mention offal, because loads of offal go up there.
“The proof of that is that we found a couple of lungs and tracheas by the side of the road that had fallen off a lorry.”
Mr Williams added: “Sometimes it smells of fish, sometimes it smells of pork pies, there is all sorts of stuff going in there.”
He said the smell often begins early in the morning and varies depending on weather conditions.
Mr Williams said: “If you walk down there at 6.30am when it operates that is when the stink starts and it depends on which way the wind blows as to who gets it.”
He also questioned the effectiveness of measures taken to control odour.
“This week there has been a massive chemical smell and it smells like what you get if you put chemicals on a field.”
Residents living further uphill also reported regular exposure to the smell, particularly during the morning.
Lynne Evans, who lives in Palmerstone Park, said the odour is noticeable during the school run.
She said: “The smell is usually horrendous at 8.15am.
“My granddaughter lives with me, we leave to go to school and she holds her nose and we get the smell all the way to Ashley, by the time we get to the tip it is gone, so it is not the tip.”
Concerns were also raised about the role of lorry movements in spreading the smell.
Paul Stagg suggested there may be more than one source contributing to the issue.
He said: “I think there is two distinct smells. One is the treatment works which Palmerstone Park and Ashley Court get the smell, then there is the other smell from the lorries going out and in to the treatment works.”
Mr Stagg questioned whether vehicles transporting waste were being properly managed.
He said: “If they are bringing offal in and they are not properly sealed, do the lorries transport such stuff need to be sealed?
“When they are loading they slop it all over the sides and do not wash it off.”
He added that certain days appear to be worse than others.
Mr Stagg said: “Friday is usually clear out day especially if there is rain as they cannot cope with water there.”
He also linked the issue to ongoing development in the area.
He said: “They cannot cope yet planning keeps passing plans for hundreds of homes here and there.”
For some residents, the situation has echoes of similar disputes elsewhere.
Philip Richardson, who has lived in Tiverton for more than two decades, said he had experienced comparable issues in the past.
He said: “When I lived in Watford, we had arguments with Thames Water, they fobbed us off with letters and telling us they would do something about it.”
Mr Richardson suggested collective action may be needed.
He said: “The only way that people can stop this is if we all came together and did not pay our water bills.
“Do not pay it, put it away somewhere, and they will soon do something about it.”
Safety concerns were also highlighted, particularly in relation to the increase in large vehicles accessing the treatment site.
Mike Shields said the current road infrastructure may not be suitable for the volume and size of traffic.
He said: “I am more concerned about the road access to the sewage works because we know South West Water own it, but the size of the vehicles going along it now, it is an accident waiting to happen.”
Mr Shields added that there have already been incidents.
He said: “They have had two accidents over the last few years but more recently vehicles have got much bigger.”
He warned: “Eventually an accident will happen, and with that major pollution.”
The accounts add to growing pressure on South West Water to address concerns, with residents, councillors and the local MP all calling for clearer answers and practical solutions.
