Calls for more action on Brightlingsea's mystery stench

A strange and mysterious odour is blighting Brightlingsea

An unpleasant smell in a seaside town has caused a fracas between councils after dozens of complaints were made by residents about the ongoing odour.

The smell has blighted Brightlingsea, in Essex, for about a year but the exact cause is not known.

The town council has called on Tendring District Council to continue its investigations, which were halted in July.

The district council said its powers were "limited" until it knew the cause.

Brightlingsea town councillor Matt Court submitted a petition - entitled "Brightlingsea Stench" complaining about Tendring Council, after there were 32 reports of bad smells on 20 June and 12 other complaints since the end of that month, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A number of investigative visits have taken place but the district council has been accused of failing to properly deal with the issue after deciding to halt further proactive monitoring visits in July.

Council chief executive Ian Davidson said people should not "lose sight" of the fact Brightlingsea is a "fantastic place to visit"

Mr Matt Court told the cabinet, which discussed the issue on Friday: "When the proactive investigation closed we were promised reactive visits would take place, not forms handed out.

"The people affected by this are united and the problem is real and the message from us is clear - please don't be part of the problem, be the solution."

The petition from Mr Court stated: "The persistent stench that has plagued the residents of Brightlingsea for over a year is more than just a nuisance, it's a matter of public health, well-being, and the quality of life for every person living and working in the affected area, including the school which has its main playing field nearby.

"It has turned what should be a pleasant environment into a place where people cannot even open their windows or spend time outside without discomfort."

'Walking away'

He said closing the investigation before a cause was found, was "deeply disappointing and frankly, unacceptable".

"This decision gives the impression of a council that is either unable or unwilling to fully address the problem, which is a disservice to the people it is supposed to represent and protect."

Chief executive of Tendring Council, Ian Davidson said: "Please don't feel we are walking away from it or washing our hands of it. That is not the case.

"It is the case of understanding what we can take, and our powers are limited unless we know that. But we should not lose sight that Brightlingsea is a fantastic place to visit and it should not undermine people's confidence in that."