Investigation launched after disgusting smell engulfs Gateshead and Newcastle.
An investigation has been launched after complaints of a vile stench spreading across Tyneside.
Environmental officials are trying to determine the source of a disgusting odour that travelled for miles around Gateshead and beyond over the weekend.
Locals said they detected a putrid stink that “smelled like poo”, with reports that it was affecting a number of different areas across Tyneside – including Wardley, Felling, Low Fell, Newcastle city centre, and near the Metrocentre.
There were similar concerns about foul smells in July, the origin of which was the Wardley Biogas Plant at the Follingsby Park industrial estate.
However, the Environment Agency (EA) has confirmed that the anaerobic digestion facility, which produces energy from food waste, was not the source of the problem this time.
A spokesperson said: “We are working in partnership with Gateshead Council to determine the source of odour across Gateshead and Newcastle city centre.
“Following reports of odours from the BioConstruct plant in Wardley Colliery our officers have conducted monitoring and can confirm the odour is not from this site’s waste activities.
“Members of the public are urged to report odour incidents to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060 or to the local council.”
One Low Fell resident, who asked not to be named, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the repulsive stench would leave locals unable to open their windows during this week’s warm weather.
She said: “It honestly smelled like poo, I thought that someone must have put some manure or fertiliser down.
“I live in Low Fell, but people have been saying that they could smell it all the way down to the Metrocentre. For a smell to travel that far is very unusual.
“I have never known anything like it before here. The only time you would get that smell is going past a field or a farm, it was that kind of manure smell.
“It’s especially bad with the hot weather coming this week because people will want to have their windows open.”
In July, Jarrow MP Kate Osborne complained to the EA about the Wardley Biogas plant.
After a string of new complaints over this weekend, she said that she was “furious that constituents are still being subject to these awful odours”.
The Labour MP also said she would be visiting the plant, operated by BioConstruct NewEnergy Ltd, this Friday alongside the EA – though that was before the watchdog cleared the facility of blame for the latest issues.
The LDRS has contacted BioConstruct NewEnergy Ltd for a response.