A 650-name online petition calling on Eden District Council to stop approving planning applications at Omega Proteins animal rendering plant at Wildriggs, Penrith, has been delivered to every Eden councillor.
The 38degrees online petition was emailed to all district councillors and relevant EDC officers by Fresh AIR for Penrith, the campaign fighting to stop the Penrith ‘pong’.
EDC recently approved the building of a huge £20m thermal oxidiser at the plant without any consultation, said petition organiser Jeff Thomson. “Now, EDC, which is the planning authority for the site, has another six ‘live’ planning applications from Omega. It is now time to stop, take count and carefully consider whether this plant should be allowed to expand further. Councillors need to take heed of local people, local opinion and the local environment,” he said.
Thomson claims the Wildriggs site is already too big, is an eyesore, already places too much pressure on the local infrastructure, has a harmful effect on the local tourism industry and creates an odour nuisance.
“The infamous Penrith ‘pong’, has been regular over the past few weeks, despite all the assurances the company has given in the past. There is no indication the odour has stopped or will stop. To allow any further growth at Omega would be against public interest,” said Thomson.
A spokesman for the Leo Group, which owns and operates Omega Proteins, said: “Whilst everyone is clearly entitled to their own viewpoint, had Mr Thomson engaged with us, he may well have a proper understanding of the nature of our Penrith operation, the benefit it brings to the UK agricultural industry, supporting local businesses and jobs, and most importantly, to protecting the safety of the UK’s food chain.”
An Eden District Council spokesman said: “All planning applications received from the site will be determined in accordance with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning Act and in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, either through the Scheme of Delegation or through Planning Committee for any development at the site.
“Each planning application is determined on its own merits and in consideration of the Development Plan, the National Planning Policy Framework and all other material considerations.”
