Mansfield residents left trapped in their homes due to 'repugnant' smell

Despite work to drain the ponds on the old Welbeck Colliery site at Meden Vale, the smell still shows no sign of abating and residents are appealing for more to be done.

Phillip Taylor shared his frustration: “I've been out in the early hours, and it still smells the same.

“It never goes, it just fades from repugnant to noticeable.”

A concerned resident commented: “I can’t have my windows open or go into the garden, it makes me feel ill.

“How are we meant to cope with lockdown if we can’t get any fresh air?”

A resident witnessed tankers at the ponds and described the smell: “Stuff is coming out of the drains from site, which runs down to the river – it is disgusting.”

A spokesperson from Biogas Meden said: “Over the past few weeks BML has been working with Harworth Group to enable a more thorough clean of the off-site ponds now that the weather is drier.

“The Environment Agency is aware of the work underway.

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said:

“The site operator Meden Biogas and the landowners, Harworth Estates, have been required to drain the ponds.

“Tankers were on site again to remove the remnants of the stagnant liquid and further work will be carried out as soon as possible to clean out the sludge in the bottom.

“Our officers continue to monitor the site and we ask residents to report issues to our hotline 0800 80 70 60.”