Councillor kicks up a stink over Tayside recycling centre odour

A Dundee councillor has been kicking up a stink over a “dreaded” smell in the area.

Fraser Macpherson has received a plethora of complaints from residents about a stench emanating from the Riverside civic amenity site’s composting facility.

The recycling centre sits near Riverside Nature Park but despite the distance from residential areas, locals are still having to keep windows closed because of the smell.

Mr Macpherson has urged the local authority to take steps to tackle the issue. He said it is an ongoing problem.

Some residents have told the Liberal Democrat councillor that there are some mornings when they cannot open their windows because of the stench – especially if the wind is blowing towards their homes.

Mr Macpherson has also been told by some residents that they have also contacted the council, calling for something to be done.

He said: “Green waste was being shredded last week and a change in wind direction during such operations leads to smell complaints from households to the north of the Riverside site.

“I feel there must be a real improvement in the situation going forward and I have asked that additional steps are taken to avoid any impact in the housing to the north of the site.

“I would ask residents to contact me should they have any issues regarding any smell nuisance from the site in the coming weeks.”

A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “Weather conditions can contribute to the smell given off by compost.

“We continue to put every effort into minimising any smell omitted to residents in the surrounding area.”