A huge new Spondon contract has been signed ahead of big changes to food recycling
Concerns have been raised that bad smells may return following complaints in Spondon last year
Reassurances have been given that a new location for food waste recycling in Derby will not exacerbate “vile” smells in the area.
Severn Trent’s Green Power chain has been chosen by Derby City Council to recycle tonnes of food waste at its anaerobic digestion plant in Spondon off Megaloughton Lane.
However, this has triggered fresh concerns that bad smells could be back on people’s doorsteps in surrounding areas following serious complaints last year.
Severn Trent Green Power has denied its plant was the source of the reported bad smells last summer – which led to an investigation.
But the firm has offered reassurance that should any odour risks occur, under its new city contract worth around £750,000, they will be monitored and managed effectively.
It comes as tens of thousands of households across the city are being encouraged to put food waste into new caddies for weekly collection from March 31.
The council says the food waste will be directed to Severn Trent’s Green Power Anaerobic Digestion facility in Spondon.
Read more – I smelt Spondon Stench for myself – it’s like a fish market on a hot day
The council says recycling food this way will be more cost-effective for taxpayers and will produce renewable energy.
Residents living near the facility told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) today the “rotten meat” smells last year were “awful” and any signs of them returning were “cause for concern”.
It was claimed the smell was so strong that people could not open their windows during hot weather.
Worried Spondon councillor Jonathan Smale has called for a specific clause to be written within the six-figure sum contract to allow the council to take any necessary action should any issues come to light.
He said: “I’m worried there could be bad smells again if we have a hot summer or a few hot periods which we had last year.
“I’ve had some soft words that there is some provision in the contract for us to go back to them if they are not fulfilling their duties – but it isn’t strong enough in my view. It doesn’t give me confidence.”
However, Derby City Council says it has been given reassurances the smells last year were not from Severn Trent Green Power complex and it will monitor the site’s performance.
In addition, Severn Trent Green Power has reassured the site is “continuously monitored” to deter any problematic environmental issues.
A firm spokesperson said: “We note the concerns regarding odour and can reiterate that our Food Waste Anaerobic Digestion was not the source of odour that received complaints last summer.
“Severn Trent Green Power can assure residents that the site is continuously monitored to ensure the process is controlled from an energy generation and compliance perspective.
“It is also worth noting that we always aim to operate our plants at full capacity and the new tonnage from Derby City will be replacing other food waste sources that we have displaced to create headroom. So the new volume is not going to exacerbate any perceived odour risk.”
A Derby City Council spokesperson said: “Following investigations, we have received assurances that the plant was not the source of the odour complaints recorded last year. In line with all our waste treatment agreements, we will monitor the facility’s performance throughout the duration of the contract.”
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