Stink probe in Tyneside: The investigation into the mysterious Pong continues

An investigation into the disgusting pong that sparked complaints from around Gateshead and Newcastle last weekend has not yet determined where the smell came from, officials confirmed on Friday.

The smell has been reported by people in the area, with one Low Fell resident telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) earlier this week that it “smelled like poo”.

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Some people had believed the smell was coming from the Wardley biogas plant on the Follingsby Park industrial estate, which was the subject of similar complaints in July.

But the Environment Agency announced on Monday that the anaerobic digestion plant was not the cause of the smell this time and has launched an investigation alongside Gateshead Council to determine the true cause.

It is suspected that the smell is due to the application of digestate fertilizer on agricultural land.

The Environment Agency confirmed on Friday that its investigation was ongoing.

Last weekend there were reports of the smell spreading far and wide across Tyneside – with complaints from areas including Wardley, Felling, Low Fell, Newcastle city center and near the Metrocentre.

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An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We are working with Gateshead Council to identify the source of the odor in Gateshead and Newcastle city center.

“Following reports of odors coming from the BioConstruct facility at Wardley Colliery, our officers have carried out surveillance and can confirm that the odor is not coming from the waste activities at this site.

“The public is urged to report any odor incidents to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060 or to the local council.”

Gateshead Borough Council said: “We are investigating the source of the strong smell reported to us. A potential source at this time of year is the spread of biosolids on agricultural land.”