COMMUNITY leaders who have previously called for a waste processing plant in Cheshire Westto fix its odour issues have spoken out about its potential sale.

Witton councillor Sam Naylor and Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury have been keeping up the pressure on parent company Ørsted to put a stop to issues with bad smells at its Renescience plant in Northwich.

But according to the company’s 2022 annual report, this site at Lostock has been put on the market.

Smells from the plant have previously led to complaints from a nearby car dealership and residents, prompting an Environment Agency (EA) investigation, and problems still persist.

Cllr Naylor said: “I have no issue if the plant is sold to a responsible new operator.

“But I don’t think the EA should allow a new operator to take over until the odour issue has been resolved.”

The prototype waste processing plant uses enzymes to convert household organic waste into biogas for energy generation and is the first of its kind in the world.

Cllr Naylor and Mr Amesbury previously said they were prepared to publicly call for the EA to withdraw the environmental operating permit if the smells continued.

Mr Amesbury commented: “The odour has affected residents and local businesses for too long.

“The odour has never been effectively addressed.

“The EA must not just allow this plant to be passed on given all the issues.”

When previously approached regarding issues with odour at the Lostock plant, a spokesperson for the project, said: “We are aware of recent local concerns and are working hard to fully investigate and address any issues raised.

“We have been working alongside independent specialists to explore and implement further improvements on site.

“We take any complaints seriously and will remain in direct contact with local stakeholders to update on the situation.”

In its annual report for 2022, Ørsted said it had ‘initiated a process for identifying the right owner of our Renescience business, including our waste treatment facility in Northwich’.

The report continued: “The Renescience technology has great potential to help solve the increasing global waste challenge, and Ørsted has been a successful incubator for the technology.

“However, waste treatment is no longer part of our business model and strategic focus.”