GOVERNMENT officers are monitoring gas emissions from Harewood Whin landfill site after residents in west York repeatedly complained about bad smells.

The Environment Agency carried out a series of tests over a 14-day period in June and detected odours during nearly half of them.

The biggest number of smells came from rotting vegetation, but landfill gas was also detected several times.

A newsletter detailing the test concluded the gas smells were not severe or persistent, but there was the potential that people may be annoyed by them.

“We will be investigating further and taking action where necessary to ensure the site operator continues to make improvements,” said Kevin Nicholson, environment officer.

Acomb councillor David Horton welcomed the agency’s findings and said: “That would accord with the view that much of the problem centres around Harewood Whin, although I believe significant steps have been taken by the site operator to address its odour issues.

“Many residents on the west of York have had a torrid time with bad odours emanating from a number of sources.” According to the agency, the possible sources include the sewage works off Landing Lane and muck- spreading by farmers. There is also a city council waste disposal site in Beckfield Lane. The strongest smells were found in remoter rural areas and the tests were carried out in and around Harewood Whin, Rufforth, Hessay, Poppleton, Rawcliffe, Knapton and Acomb. Less than two per cent of the smells were detected in urban areas.