Odour Response in Calne 26 June 2026

We understand that many people in the community are feeling frustrated and upset about odour, particularly over the past week. Over 100 reports were received across the weekend, and we recognise the real impact this is having on day-to-day life, especially during the current hot weather.

Periods of heat can make odours more noticeable and allow them to travel further. While this helps explain the recent increase, we know this does not lessen the experience for those affected, and we want to reassure residents that concerns are being taken seriously.

Our officers have been actively responding to reports across the area. During these visits, odour levels have generally been assessed as faint to transient. However, we fully appreciate that even intermittent odours can be unpleasant, disruptive, and, at times, distressing.

As the regulator, we are continuing to robustly oversee the permanent capping works that we have required Hills to deliver in order to bring the site back into full compliance with its environmental permit. These works are a regulatory requirement and are expected to be completed by the end of July.

Following completion, we will work in partnership with Wiltshire Council Environmental Health Officers to monitor odour levels in the community and assess the effectiveness of the capping. We will take further regulatory action if necessary to ensure the site is operating in compliance and impacts on the community are appropriately controlled.

Environment Agency staff monitoring at the Lower Compton site

Upcoming engagement

We are working with our partners at Wiltshire Council and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to arrange a community engagement event in Calne. This will provide residents with an opportunity to speak directly with us and partners, ask questions, and raise any concerns about the ongoing odour issues.

We are committed to ensuring the community has access to clear information and the opportunity to be heard. Details of the event, including date and venue, will be shared as soon as they are confirmed.

Public Health Advice

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides specialist public health advice to the Wiltshire Council and partners, including the Environment Agency, to protect the public’s health. UKHSA has no regulatory or intervention powers in this area.

Lucy McCann, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, said: “Everyone reacts to odours differently, and some people are more sensitive to environmental odours than others.

Landfill gas contains hydrogen sulphide, which even in very small quantities produces a strong smell similar to rotten eggs and may be noticeable to nearby residents.

At the levels currently being detected around this site, the risk to health is likely to be low. The Environment Agency continues to monitor levels on-site and in the wider community.

Even when levels are low, strong smells can still be unpleasant and may affect wellbeing. Some people may experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness, particularly if exposed for longer periods.”

Advice for Residents

UKHSA advises residents to:

• Close windows in the evening if outdoor odours are noticeable, and reopen them in the morning when conditions improve
• Use weather forecasts to identify times your property is downwind (when closing windows can reduce landfill odour indoors) and upwind (when opening windows can reduce any residual odour indoors)
• Report odour to the Environment Agency

For further information on UKHSA advice and guidance please contact: Enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk

If you have any concerns about your health, please contact your GP or NHS 111 for individual medical advice.

If you have any further public health-related queries, you can email Wiltshire Council Public Health at publichealth@wiltshire.gov.uk, who can help direct your query to the most appropriate organisation for a response.