THE stench from a landfill site in Arnold is making life so unbearable that it should be closed, it has been claimed.
Katherine Kirk, 43, of Shandwick Close, less than a mile away from the tip, said she didn't use her garden because of the smell.
"It's absolutely disgusting," she said. "It's revolting – like a decomposing body. It's not a smell you can just ignore.
"It is so pungent, it seeps through the windows.
"I often go shopping or to visit friends to escape the smell in my house but sometimes you just want to stay at home and have a nice time.
"It seems the only solution would be to shut the place down."
The Dorket Head site, off Woodborough Lane, has been operated by Waste Recycling Group Limited – now FCC Environment – since 1993.
The tip is monitored by the Environment Agency, which first started receiving complaints about smells in 2009.
This year, it has received 242 complaints until the end of August.
Councillor Michael Payne, deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, represents the St Mary's ward, which includes Dorket Head.
He said he was appalled by the situation.
"We have called for a meeting with the Environment Agency to discuss the problems.
"This has been going on long enough – they need to do something about it."
Hugh James Solicitors, with offices in London and Cardiff, is working on a compensation claim against FCC Environment on behalf of more than 40 Arnold families.
A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "We have attended a number of meetings with the site operator, councillors, local authority and residents to listen to their concerns and look at solutions to resolve the issues.
"Over the last 18 months, we have required the operator to make significant infrastructure and operational improvements at the site and this led to a significant reduction in the number of complaints we received until this summer.
"However, we do recognise there has recently been a significant increase in odour complaints and we are working hard with the operator to identify the cause."
Will Gander, regional operations manager for FCC Environment, said: "We are committed to being a responsible operator and a good neighbour within the local community.
"Taking account of feedback from the local community, and to minimise the risk of any odour at the site, we continue to invest in the sites' infrastructure.
"This work includes providing a high level of ground coverage, whereby a greater area of waste is covered using a thicker layer than we usually use on landfill sites.
"We have also extended our gas management system, which ensures the whole site can channel gases produced by the waste underground.
"The site has remained fully compliant with its operating permit in relation to odour during 2012.
"It is important that local residents with any concerns about the site contact us directly rather than going to a third party. This helps us to monitor, understand and deal with any issues.
"We can be contacted by phone on 0115 967 3446 or e-mail us at dorket.head@fccenvironment.co.uk."
