Omega Proteins' plan to build 25-ft chimney stack faces objection

Omega Proteins, a factory owned by Leo Group in Penrith, submitted the plans to Westmorland and Furness Council last month.

The factory is controversial because much has been said about its links to the so-called ‘Penrith Pong’.

Those opposing the factory say it causes the bulk, if not all, of the odour pollution, and contributes to sound pollution, pointing to hundreds of complaints received by the Environment Agency regarding it.

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However, the factory strongly refutes being the primary source and has expressed that there are several potential sources for the odour, adding that it has extensive odour and pollution abatement processes in the factory.

Jeff Thomson has been the most vocal opponent and heads Fresh Air for Penrith, an activist group which directly opposes the animal by-product processing factory.

Jeff Thomson (Image: Supplied)

He submitted a formal objection to the council and requested to present it in person at the committee when it meets to discuss the planning application – for which no date has yet been set.

Mr Thomson said his objection is based on concerns, such as the industrial site is ‘already over-congested’ and there is ‘public concern about high levels of emissions and what the emissions contain’.

The stack mentioned in the planning application will substitute an existing boiler stack that will be taken down, resulting in no net change in the number of stacks, Leo Group said, adding that the new replacement stack will be installed approximately 70 metres away from the original location on the site.

For more information about the planning application, visit the council’s website, and search for the application using the reference number 2024/0471/FPA.