HUNDREDS of Middlewich residents will find their homes are sitting in an "odour cloud" zone when the waste transfer station opens next year.


Cheshire East Council’s waste transfer station, which will see waste from across the borough being brought to the site in Cledford Lane, will be set to open in March 2017 after 10 months of construction, starting this month.


Campaigners have now warned residents and business owners in the Cledford end of the town after a document showing odour emissions from the site was leaked.


The map initially appeared among other planning documents regarding the site on the council’s planning portal, but has since been taken down.


It shows where the smell from the site is estimated to reach in the surrounding area, covering houses, businesses near to Booth Lane, as well as Middlewich Methodist Church.


Cllr David Latham, Middlewich Town Council member and Action Against Ansa campaigner, said: “It is clear from this map released by Cheshire East Council the the council has clear proof this proposed site will have an effect on the public health and wellbeing of many Middlewich residents every day of every year.


“There are several schools, children day nurseries and child carers all in close proximity to the site which will have their businesses affected by this even on a still day.


“At no time during the planning permission application, the Strategic Planning Board hearing on September 23, 2015, or since then has Cheshire East Council attempted to make the public aware of these odour clouds.”


Cheshire East Council has responded by assuring residents that the map showing odour emissions is based on a ‘worst case scenario’.


A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: “The predicted odour concentrations shown on the map are based on a worst case scenario and prior to the installation of the robust, state of the art filtration system the council intends to install.


“Cheshire East Council and Ansa Environmental Services are committed to ensuring that any odour from this site will be minimised through the installation of a carbon filter mitigation process.


“An Environmental Permit is required, which is regulated by the Environment Agency and the site will fully comply with Environment Agency Significance Criteria in respect of any odours.


“All sources of potential odours will be managed in accordance with best practice.”