How to reduce odour nuisance
Tips to help reduce the likelihood of causing a nuisance:
Farmland spreading
- check the weather forecast prior to spreading
- check the wind direction and try to spread only when the wind is blowing away from neighbouring properties
- avoid spreading at weekends, bank holidays or evenings
- do not spread close to houses
- avoid frequent spreading in the same location
- avoid very heavy applications
- plough in immediately after or use injection to minimise odour
Farms or livestock units
- avoid odorous feeds
- frequently remove waste, considering the time of day and wind direction
- keep odorous areas dry and well ventilated
- avoid the storage of animal waste near domestic premises
- avoid burning horse manure, use an alternative means of disposal
Poultry units
- remove waste frequently
- clean out storage sheds frequently bearing in mind the weather conditions
Cesspits and septic tanks
- empty frequently
- remedy defects as soon as possible, for example – blocked soakaways or overflows
- ensure vents are appropriately located and of sufficient height
Industrial premises
- where necessary increase the discharge height of any chimneys, but ensure this has no planning implications before doing so
- remove any terminal endings that slow the airflow, for example – caps and cowls
- substitute odorous products
- use activated charcoal filters to adsorb organic odours
- use water-based paints with a low organic solvent content
- maintain extract equipment for example spray booths or fans
- relocate odorous processes away from nearby domestic premises
Hot food premises and food manufacturing
- increase the height and re-orientate the flue
- service, clean and maintain ventilation equipment
- use odour control technology, for example – activated charcoal filters