CONCERNED residents say nasty niffs from a landfill site have continued to get worse with one mum even deciding to send her daughter to a different school.

Residents in Stanway have complained to the Environment Agency about smells coming from the Bellhouse landfill site in Warren Lane, which is owned by waste management company Enovert.

The landfill site will operate until December 2026, when it will be restored to an open space.

Resident Steve Jennings, 47, said he had to shut his window at 2am on Friday as the smell was that bad, and even in a 26-degree room, he did not want his two-year breathing in the odour.

Steve said: "As a father it makes a real difference - you feel like a prisoner in your own house.

“You can’t play in the garden, you don’t want your daughter running when it smells, you can’t put your clothes out due to the smell.

Response - Colchester Mayor Lesley Scott-Boutell and Stanway councillor received a response saying a waste odour was found at about 4pm on July 25 Response - Colchester Mayor Lesley Scott-Boutell and Stanway councillor received a response saying a waste odour was found at about 4pm on July 25 (Image: Newsquest)

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I’ve really suffered mentally with the issues, I’ve spoken to the Environment Agency about this.

“People I’ve spoken to are saying it’s got worse since last year.

The Environment Agency said a waste slip at the site at the start of the month had caused the smells.

Its website says: "On July 22, Enovert started to fill the crevice by pulling the already deposited waste from either side of the crevice back into the void.

"This activity has disturbed previously deposited waste and has been the cause of the increased malodours detected that day. Our officers attended the area and the landfill that afternoon to substantiate this.

"This work is necessary to backfill the large crevice which, if left open, would itself become a significant source of malodour.

"The works are likely to go on for the rest of the week so we do anticipate the potential for more off-site odours but please be assured that the situation should improve significantly once this work is completed."

Landfill - The Bellhouse site in StanwayLandfill - The Bellhouse site in Stanway (Image: Newsquest)

Enovert has told residents it has put in odour control measures while work to cover the waste slip continues, and it is monotoring the situation and the effect on residents.