Work aimed at reducing smell complaints from Lower Compton landfill is now ahead of schedule as the Environment Agency report a recent reduction in odour reports across Calne.
They say officers have continued monitoring odours around the town, including early morning inspections between 2.30am and 4am, with landfill gas smells still occasionally detected in residential areas but generally at low levels and short durations.
According to updates shared following a recent liaison meeting, the major clay capping project designed to reduce escaping landfill gas is currently ahead of schedule and expected to finish by mid-July.
Contractors are installing a permanent clay cap across landfill areas while additional clay and soil cover is also being added elsewhere on site to help seal in gas.
Councillor Sam Pearce-Kearney, who shared updates from the latest liaison meeting, said Hills acknowledged significant complaints returned during February and March and remains working under an agreed action plan with regulators.
The Environment Agency says proactive community odour monitoring will now begin reducing over the coming weeks following a recent fall in complaints and lower levels of odour being detected during inspections.
The meeting also revealed repeated break-ins and vandalism at the site have caused up to £50,000 worth of damage over the past two years.
According to information shared at the meeting, intruders have repeatedly damaged machinery, smashed vehicle windows and triggered expensive fire suppression systems.
There are also concerns that continued trespassing could result in serious injuries or damage to important gas control equipment used at the site.
Police are continuing to investigate.
Residents attending the meeting also questioned whether deodorising measures simply mask smells rather than preventing gases escaping.
Hills said hydrogen sulphide can be detected by smell at very low concentrations and pointed to advice from health officials that risks to health remain low.
Residents are still being encouraged to report smell complaints to the Environment Agency.
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