Concern over factory emissions despite new chimney

An asphalt plant is still emitting "overwhelming putrid smells" and stinging people's eyes despite its chimney stack being doubled to 40m, according to residents.

The FM Conway plant in Newhaven, which produces the material for road surfaces, got planning permission to increase its chimney from 20m last August, to address concerns about pollution.

But the town's residents have said the smell has been just as bad since the chimney was extended last month.

FM Conway, which has been approached for comment, previously said it operated "in line with relevant legislation and local policy".

Newhaven resident Cat Fletcher, who lives near the site, said: "At different times on different days, there is a very overwhelming putrid smell that makes you not want to sit in your garden."

Paul Keene, a Lewes District councillor and Newhaven resident, told BBC Radio Sussex: "I've seen mothers covering their baby's faces when they're walking near the plant.

"The stack extension was to try to deal with the smell and pollution issues, but it has made things worse.

"Last week, I went into my garden and the smell was so strong I felt sick to my stomach. It's like a bitumen and burning asphalt smell. It's unbearable."

Lucienne Emberglow, another resident, said the smell was "overwhelming" and made her eyes water.

Jamie Crawford, who has lived in Newhaven for 20 years, said: "We feel neglected, almost abandoned. So many people have been writing to the council."

Kate Peach, owner of Each Peach Forest School which is about half a mile from the factory, said: "It's strong, it's unpleasant and smells a bit chemically.

"Two or three times a week, staff will report they need to bring the children from outside because the children complain about the smell. It catches in their throat."

However, other residents said they had not noticed it.

One said: "We're an industrial town. We're not a seaside resort so we're bound to get some obnoxious smells."

A representative for FM Conway previously said "emissions from the site are entirely compliant with the terms of the environmental permit".

An East Sussex County Council (ESCC) planning document from last August said emitted pollutants would have "sufficient dilution and dispersion in the atmosphere" to ensure that they fall to the ground "at concentrations that are deemed harmless".

An air quality assessment on behalf of FM Conway said that before the chimney extension, there were no breaches of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM10, PM2.5 (inhalable particulate matter), nitrogen monoxide, sulphur dioxide or volatile organic compound limits.

Lewes District Council, which granted the environmental permit, said it was working with FM Conway to ensure its "continued monitoring of the site is in line with their operating permit, and to ensure that any odour emissions are reduced".

A spokesperson added: "We will also continue to listen to residents when they raise concerns.

"Accordingly, we are currently consulting on a draft plan that outlines council proposals to improve air quality across Lewes District over the next four years."

The consultation runs until 17:00 BST on 15 May.

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