An animal rendering plant accused of causing foul smells in Denholme and Thornton has been given six months to take steps to deal with the issues – or it could face enforcement action, a Bradford scrutiny panel has warned.

Bradford Council’s Environmental Scrutiny Committee met at City Hall last night to hear about the steps Omega Proteins, based at Earling Works, has been taking to address issues raised in a report compiled by odour expert Steven Peirson, who was employed by the Council.

The company has devised an action plan to try to deal with the issues raised by the expert, which were discussed at the meeting. Omega Proteins has been the subject of numerous complaints in recent years and a campaign group called Stop Omega Stink has been formed, made up of neighbouring residents to the plant.

The company has recently applied for planning permission for a third bio-filter bed. It hopes this will enable greater ‘residence’ times for odorous air, as the existing two which are in place appear to be working at capacity, according to the report’s findings.

Results testing the efficiency of the current two bio-filters in place have shown on two occasions recordings of 80 per cent. According to industry guidance read to the meeting the “bio-filters should achieve at least 90 per cent.”

Lynnette Cadamarteri, of Stop Omega Stink, said: “This issue is distressing for everyone and affects the entire Hill Top area and can even be smelt in Thornton village.

“The officers investigating have not carried out effective enforcement to make the company comply. The third bio-filter is another way for the company to expand.”

The issues surrounding heavy goods vehicles mounting the pavement due to the restricted width when turning onto the A644 Brighouse and Denholme Road were discussed. Highways officers said that due to the “physical constraints of the junction, there are no options for highways improvements.”

But Keelham Primary School, located nearby, has agreed for parents and children to use a footpath between Wells Head and Brighouse Road, which is within the school’s grounds.

Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq said: “I have every sympathy with the residents and assure them we are doing everything we can to deal with this. I urge the company to comply with the conditions as it is the last chance for them as far as we are concerned.”

Councillors agreed they want to see another progress report in six months and requested a representative from Omega Proteins attends that meeting.

They have also requested the highways department review their findings about the Keelham junction.