Big stink over West Bromwich homes site smell

It comes from a former landfill site which is being turned into a housing development.

They say the smell from the nearby development on Hall Green Road in Stone Cross has become noticeably worse in recent weeks as the weather got warmer.

Developers Mar City are currently carrying out remedial work on the site to rid it of chemicals that have gone into the ground over the past 50 years. They will then build 250 homes on the site.

The site was quarried for sand and gravel during the 1950s and was then used for landfill, with oils and chemicals put into the ground over the years.

Inspection of the land found it was not constructed properly to receive wastes and that few records existed as to what was actually dumped. The remedial work currently being carried out will make the land safe for new development.

Jenny Lawley, aged 47, who lives in Campville Crescent, said: "My dad has lived on the estate since it was first built in 1955. He used to go up there and the ground would bubble.

"They told us essential remedial work would be done and it wouldn't affect us at all, we wouldn't experience any problems. There is a terrible, terrible smell. It is atrocious, it is making me feel sick. I'm really concerned – it isn't good for people's health.

"There have been some of the hottest days of the year recently but I can't hang the washing out, I'm cooped up in the house."

Julie Horlick, 38, also of Campville Crescent, said: "It is quite bad some days. It's a putrid, gassy smell.

Mar City Homes said it was aware of the problems and was scaling back planned operations on site during the summer.

Company spokeswoman Martine Bridge said: "We would like to reassure the local residents that there are no health and safety issues associated with the development site.

"We are aware of the odour issues on site and are working in conjunction with the council to find the best solution to help reduce the impact. During recent weeks we are mindful that with the warmer weather conditions, there have been occasions when odours have been more apparent.

We are scaling back our planned operations on site during the summer period, as well as capping the odour producing areas immediately."