Environment Agency took too long to act against odour and noise pollution

What happened

The Environment Agency issued an environmental permit to a waste recycling facility that processed several different types of waste, including household waste.

Mrs K began making complaints about odour and noise from the site a few months after it started to operate. At the same time, the Environment Agency recorded a breach of the environmental permit.

Over the next eight months, the Environment Agency recorded further breaches. It gave the site operator guidance and advice about how it should improve matters to prevent pollution, but this was not successful.

Over the following eleven months, the Environment Agency recorded six more breaches and noted the site owner was not complying with its guidance. During this time, Mrs K's family made a number of complaints about odour and noise pollution, but the Environment Agency took no action for some time.

What we found

The Environment Agency should have taken stronger enforcement action eight months after the site became operational. Instead, it waited a further eleven months before taking any action, although the recycling facility failed to follow its advice or to improve.

The Environment Agency's delay allowed the site to continue breaching its environmental permit. This prolonged the odour and noise pollution and led to more complaints.

Mrs K and her family were caused unnecessary frustration, upset and distress as a result of the Environment Agency's delayed enforcement action.

Putting it right

The Environment Agency apologised to Mrs K's family and paid them £1,500 compensation for the impact of its delay in taking enforcement action.