Warwickshire plague of flies prompts public meeting

Residents have been complaining to the council about flies since June

An influx of flies in part of Warwickshire has been discussed at a public meeting.

Residents and business owners in Heathcote, Whitnash and the Warwick Gates estate said swarms of flies had been causing problems since June.

Local Nick Scriven said the problem had forced him to keep all doors and windows closed in his property which was "almost like living in a prison".

The Environment Agency said it took the issue "very seriously".

The owner of a nearby plastic recycler said the firm "will absolutely do all we can" if it was contributing to the problem.

Screens and bats were being used to deter the flies, added Mr Scriven.

Local resident Nick Scriven said the situation was appalling

"We can't eat food without spinning devices to keep the flies away from the food," he explained.

"It's just appalling."

Heather Clatworthy, a mother who worked from home, described it as "like living in a horror film" and the issue was taking too long to solve.

"We're five months in and that's far too long. It's clearly nobody's priority," she added.

Mum Heather Clatworthy said the issue appeared to be "nobody's priority" in authority

About 100 residents went to the meeting, at 19:00 BST on Thursday at Heathcote Community Centre, which was organised by Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western.

The Environment Agency added it had issued nearby plastic recycler Berry Circular Polymers with an environmental permit on 17 April.

The permit required the firm on Ashbourne Drive, Leamington Spa, to take measures to prevent or minimise pests on site if they were likely to give rise to annoyance off site, the agency said.

It also requested an updated pest management plan and records of pest management training provided to staff, the agency added.

Environmental officers attended the meeting with residents and the MP.

Jeremy Blake said the firm would take action if it was contributing to the problem

Jeremy Blake, the managing director of Berry Circular Polymers, said he could not say they are not a contributory factor.

He added that the firm had put in "robust measures" to try to help.

"If we are in any way contributing to any local problems, then we will absolutely do all we can," he added.

"We are very much interested in seeing if anybody else has got other issues in the surrounding area, as we don't feel we are the only people contributing to the problem."

Warwick District Council confirmed it had received a large number of complaints about the fly problems since June.