Future of factory blamed for 'stench' could become clearer later this year

At a meeting on Thursday morning (Feb 19), council officers revealed that the results of an independent study into the plant, and the emissions it produces, should be concluded by spring, with the council expected to decide whether any enforcement options are needed by autumn.

The extraordinary meeting of the regulatory and appeals committee was held after a petition signed by over 1,200 people was submitted to the council late last year.

The petition called for operations at the plant, off Hammerton Street, to be suspended and a “thorough review of the plant’s compliance with environmental regulations and guidelines” to be carried out.

At Thursday’s meeting, members voiced serious concerns about the operation of the plant, but agreed to wait until the council’s investigation into the site is complete before they take any action against the company.

P Waddington & Co is one of the oldest companies in Bradford, having existed in one form or another since the 1880s.

It is one of just eight animal byproduct rendering facilities in the UK, and carries out processes to dispose of dead animals, or animal parts such as bone, offal and hooves, to create biofuel and energy.

The company has always maintained that it has strict measures in place to prevent odours from escaping the plant.

Ummer Daraz, who brought the petition, said the factory was in a “highly populated” area of the city. He added: “Our lived reality is that the stench travels from beyond this site.

“It has been going on for decades, and is persistent and increasing. The community are being asked to live with a recurring stench. Business on Leeds Road report an impact on their trade and reputation.

“Residents are unable to open their windows without being assaulted by the odour. This factory has a massively disproportionate impact on Bradford.”

Deputy Council Leader Imran Khan, said: “Anyone who has visited Bradford city centre will recognise the significance of this petition. A foul stench hangs over my ward. This situation can’t continue. The plant’s operations lead to unbearable odours, and action is needed.”

He described the odours as “gut wrenching” adding: “This has been a problem for a long time and it is having an impact on people’s quality of life.

“People avoid the area due to the unpleasant environment, and I’ve heard of people leaving restaurants mid meal because of the stench.

“Many visitors to Bradford during 2025 (City of Culture) commented on the stench, it is so embarrassing for our city.”

He said the smell even hung over a recent event where the Council launched its growth plans for the next decade – which include the “Southern Gateway,” the redevelopment of a huge swathe of the city that includes sites around the Waddingtons plant.

Referring to officers’ claims that evidence was needed to take further action, Councillor Ismail Uddin said: “You can smell the evidence. The community doesn’t need any more reassurance, it needs action – evidence something is being done. For all 24 years of my life this place has been a nuisance.”

The meeting was told residents had even reported bone ash falling on their properties.

Officers told the meeting that the Council agreed to step up its monitoring of the plant late last year, and have secure the services of “a leading independent UK odour consultancy and UKAS accredited laboratory to provide robust qualitative and quantitative data regarding the operations at P Waddington & Co.”

Results are expected in Spring. The Council has also taken on new staff to deal with the issue.

Jason Field, interim legal director, said: “When we have the evidence (from the review), then we’ll have a complete picture and can decide what might be appropriate action.”

He said revoking the company’s permit would be the “nuclear option” – and there may be other options that could be taken.

When asked if there had been any recent issues with the plant, David Dunbar, Environmental Health Officer, said officers had been provided with a report on January 28 that revealed the flow rate of one of the flues at the factory was half what it should be. The Council were investigating this.

When pushed as to whether this should have led to an enforcement notice being issued, he said the report dated back to June 2025, and the issue may have since been corrected.

He was asked why the council had taken over eight months to act on this issue. Mr Dunbar replied: “The report was produced by Waddingtons – it was only received by the council a few weeks ago.”

Members of the committee were shocked at this revelation, with Coun Ian Parsons saying: “It seems like Waddingtons is marking its own homework.”

Coun Taj Salam said: “If this was a serious breach – it could have resulted in enforcement action. Why has it taken them the best part of eight months to release that report?”

Coun Rizwana Jamil said: “The company have had ample time to work on this issue. Nothing seems to have changed.”

Chair of the Committee Coun Shabir Hussain said: “That smell is awful. We’ve got nothing against Waddingtons and business, but they’ve got to do something.

“I’d like to see the owners come and live next to that site for a week.”

Members voted to let the investigation continue, and decide the next steps when it is completed later this year.

Alistair Collins, Director at Waddingtons, said: “Waddingtons operates within the terms of its permit and uses the Best Available Techniques (BAT) to reduce odorous emissions beyond the site boundary.

"We appreciate the concerns of the local community and are happy to continue to co-operate with the Councils investigations and share relevant information when it is requested.”