Odours and smells

We deal with complaints of smells which cause a nuisance in your home as a result of trade, industrial or agricultural activities.

Please note: we cannot take action against smells from a domestic property unless it is due to a build up of waste at that property.

Types of problems

For information on types of smell problems and how to report a problem see below:

Commercial premises smells

Examples of smells we deal with include:

• takeaways
• animal processing
• painting
• bulk storage

How to report

Report a commercial smell problem

Domestic waste smells

We cannot take action against smells from a domestic property unless it is due to a build up of waste at that property. E.g. a build up of rubbish in your neighbours yard.

How to report

Report a domestic smell problem

What happens next?
 

You will be sent an  odour nuisance diary (PDF) [107KB] to support your allegations.

If we feel there is a case to investigate we will:

1. Attempt to witness an odour nuisance.

2. Write to the person causing the nuisance asking that they reduce or remove the odour.

If after witnessing the odour, we are satisfied that a nuisance is occurring, we will serve an Abatement Notice on the person(s) causing the nuisance.

Drain and sewer smells

Please note: smells from drains and sewers are not dealt with by us.

How to report

• Drains (yours or neighbour) or sewers - visit United Utilities - blocked drains or call 0845 746 2200
• Highway gully - visit Lancashire County Council - Contact us

Trade waste smells

For problems with smells from trade waste please contact:

wastemanagement@preston.gov.uk or 01772 906909.

Land or muck spreading smells

Smells from land or muck spreading are usually temporary and pose little risk to health. We would not investigate a complaint about land spreading unless it became a frequent occurrence.