A Freedom of Information request has revealed the locations in our city kicking up a big stink
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A total of 14 complaints were made around Garston
A total of 14 complaints were made around Garston
Chemicals, cat urine and cooking food are among the dozens of smell complaints that have got up the nose of people across Liverpool in an 18-month period. Between May 2023 and New Year’s Eve last year, 75 issues were raised with Liverpool Council over nuisance smells.
According to data released by the local authority via a Freedom of Information request, residents have had to reach for the nose pegs on 11 occasions after reporting the smells of chemicals being used at the Veolia Environmental Services plant in Garston. A further seven chemical complaints were lodged in the same timeframe in Woolton Village, Speke, Edge Hill, Childwall and Penny Lane.
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A total of 14 complaints were made around Garston during the period identified by the city council. Anfield has proved to be one of the city’s smelliest areas with a total of six issues raised between May 2023 and last December.
Among the most offensive smells to bother households was the scent of cooking food, with residents being irked up enough to complain in Anfield, the city centre, Woolton, Norris Green and Old Swan.
Cllr Lucy Williams, who represents Garston, has campaigned against the expansion of the Veolia plant in the area. Two 30m high towers for the management of hazardous waste at its industrial site on Blackburne Street were approved at the second time of asking by members of Liverpool Council’s planning committee last year.
Campaigners gathered outside the Veolia site in Garston (Iain Watts)
Campaigners gathered outside the Veolia site in Garston (Iain Watts)
Cllr Williams said: “Veolia is in the heart of the Garston community and stands as a stark reminder of how working-class neighbourhoods are often forgotten in the pursuit of profit.
“The voices of the community, many of whom have lived there for generations, were sidelined in the decision-making process, revealing a system where the welfare of the few is prioritised over the well-being of the many. Residents have begun to organise, forming grassroots campaigns, demanding accountability, and fighting not just for cleaner air, but for the right to shape the future of their own community.”
Gary Woollam has also had issued with the Veolia plant and has led the grassroots campaign opposing the site. He reacted angrily to the consitent smell issues. He said: "There is definitely something funky in the air in Garston. After recent visit there, it stunk like high hell.
"You could smell it in Aigburth. The smell coming out of the place, I was in Lidl in January and it stank.
"It's only getting worse and worse, it's certainly not going to getting better."
Sewage smells were prominent across the city between spring 2023 and 2024 according to the data released while rotten vegetables and eggs were reported as being smelt Mossley Hill and Cressington respectively. One record of “mustiness” was also noted in August last year in Hunts Cross.
Complainants also logged seven issues with cannabis while dog poo was only flagged once on Heswall Road, Walton, in June 2023.
A Veolia spokesperson said: “Veolia understands the importance of being a responsible neighbour to the local community in Garston. Our solvent recycling facility is very carefully managed under Environment Agency regulation to ensure a healthy, safe and secure environment for everyone. These controls include the types of waste accepted and the techniques used to recycle materials, as well as emissions to air and water.
"We take every odour report seriously and each one undergoes a thorough investigation. To date none of the reports raised have been substantiated and our findings have been shared with both Liverpool Council and the Environment Agency.
“We remain open to all enquiries or concerns raised by the community and have set up a direct line of communication via our webpage. We are also keen to engage further through our free education programme for schools and funding to support local projects that can help to make a difference in the area surrounding our facility."