Odour Nuisance
The Environmental Protection team can deal with complaints about
domestic odour, however there are limitations.
Cooking Odours
You may not like what your neighbour is cooking but we cannot
dictate what they cook in their own home. Try and speak to your
neighbour first.
Extractor fans or recycling fans can assist in reducing kitchen
odours but are unlikely to eliminate it completely in a home.
Cigarette Smoke;
going from one neighbour’s property into another is unpleasant
but can be difficult to resolve as it can be to do with the
structure of the building. It is not advisable to block airbricks.
If you have easy access to the floorboards you could lift them and
see whether the mortar between the properties has broken up and
given a through path. If so you could repair it. It may help if you
are already carrying out home improvements to lay underlay and a
hard floor as this can provide a virtually impenetrable surface
which the smoke can’t seep through.
Dog Faeces left in gardens
Unfortunately not everyone cleans up after their dog. If you
have a neighbour who doesn’t clean up after their dog and it’s
causing an odour problem speak to them first. If this doesn’t have
the desired effect you will need to be prepared to give your
details and the address that is causing the problem.
Waste should be cleared up at least once a day and double
bagged, then it can be disposed of with your household rubbish.
Preferably don’t leave dogs out to use hard surfaces such as paving
slabs or concrete as a toilet. Concrete soaks up the urine and it
can be very difficult to get rid of the smell without the use of
very strong chemicals.
Horse Manure
Position manure heaps away from any neighbouring properties;
deal with any odour complaints quickly.
Poultry Manure
A local code of practice has been introduced
to encourage the responsible use of poultry manure when applied to
agricultural land. It is intended to be a working document
which provides an opportunity for stakeholders to participate in
resolving problems proactively.
It was originally drafted in response to a
recurring problem of fly infestation and was adopted by four Kent
local authorities (Ashford, Maidstone, Tonbridge & Malling and
Tunbridge Wells).
An updated version of the code of practice
appears below.
Code of Practice for the Agricultural Use of Poultry Manure. (Sept.
2011)
Sewage Sludge
Sewage sludges (sometimes known as bio-solids)
contain large amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, trace
elements and organic matter. Their application to
agricultural land is regulated by the Sludge (Use in Agriculture)
Regulations 1989, supported by a code of practice.
Sewage sludges are also recycled in accordance
with the ‘Safe Sludge Matrix’. This agreement goes beyond the
current regulatory requirements and as a result all untreated
sludges can't be used on food crops. Sewage sludges
can also be applied to non-agricultural land provided it can be
demonstrated that there will be ‘ecological improvement’ of
land.
The application of sewage sludges can cause
odour and it is normal practice to incorporate the material by
cultivation. This will help to reduce its environmental
impact.
We are unable to stop the use of sewage
sludges.
There is an agreement between the Environment
Agency and Kent local authorities for the storage and application
of waste to agricultural land and non agricultural land. (see
below)
Sludge Protocol
Version 5
This webpage was updated on
12/22/2011