Southwest
Environmental LimitedSouthwest
Environmental Limited| London |
| 02076 920 670 |
| Exeter |
| 01392 927 961 |
| Manchester |
| 01612 970 026 |
| Bristol |
| 01173 270 092 |
Do you require an Odour Management Plan for your operation? Please contact us for a quotation.
An odour management plan is a supporting document that may be specified as a part of your permit application. The report is typically over 20 pages long (depending on the complexity of your operation), and is intended for use as:
A statement of intent with regards to your intention to mange odour on site. It proves to the Environment agency that you have thought about the implications of what you operations impacts are.
An instruction manual for management and employees. If you receive a complaint in relation to odour, the odour management plan can be consulted and appropriate action taken. It also provide details on the best operating techniques to reduce odour, and methods of record keeping.
A major part of an
Odour Management Plan is assessing the receptors in your area, these
might include residential properties, schools, hospitals. Effort must
then be made to limit exposure of these receptors to odour.
Wind direction and strength (right) is a key part of managing this
exposure, a new site might be best situated down wind (prevailing) of
receptors, whilst on a pre established site it may be best to only carry
out particularly smelly activities when the wind is blowing in a
beneficial direction.
Knowing the "chemistry" of your operation is also important, for example
when composting materials must be kept aerobic (aerated), to prevent
smells. Anaerobic conditions create a "reducing environment" where
odours and leachate are more prevalent.
Preparing an odour management plan will involve looking at the processes on site and try to manage them to minimize odours, try to think of proper fixes rather than "covering up" the smells.
For example leachate lagoons at landfill sites are fairly smelly this is because of the anaerobic condition present in the leachate, you could use a deodorant to fix the smell, but the best option would be to aerate the leachate thus properly removing the odour.
The same goes for composting operations which can also become odorous owing to anaerobic conditions, this can annoy neighbors you then report you to the Environment Agency so it is better to sort out the problem than to let it fester.
When making an odour management plan have a think
about what you are next to, houses, schools etc., who will be effected by
the smells from your site?
Include Environmental receptors as well, as impact of any kind on
environmental elements such as SSSI or Public Spaces will be frowned
upon.
The levels of Impact will differ depending on the receptor type, how close it is to your site. A school or residential receptor closly situated would be significantly impacted at relatively low odour levels, whilst a industrial site situated 250 meets away would unlikely to be impacted in all but the most sever circumstances.
To assess odours off site (for example when responding to a compliant) the Environment Agency have an establish "sniff test":
"You may need to carry out an assessment either to work out whether you are complying with your permit, or as a part of an investigation into a complaint. You can use routine assessments to build up a picture of the impact the odour has on the surrounding environment over time. You can develop ‘worst case’ scenarios by doing assessments during adverse weather conditions or during particularly odorous cycles of an operation. Ideally, you should use the same methodology to follow up complaints."
If it apparent that resultant odours levels are too high then you may need to check over your operation:
*The degree of residual odour that one would expect from an activity that is using all appropriate measures (BAT) will vary from sector to sector, as it is easier to control odour in some sectors than others. For some activities there should be no odour at all beyond the boundary.
An Odour Management Plan (OMP) is an essential operational document designed to minimize the risk of malodour emissions from a site. Unlike a predictive Odour Impact Assessment, which models potential plumes during the planning phase, an OMP is a "live" document used by site operators to manage day-to-day activities. Whether required for a bespoke environmental permit from the Environment Agency or as a condition of planning consent, a well-drafted OMP ensures that "appropriate measures" are in place to protect local amenity.
Our OMPs are authored in accordance with the principles of the Environment Agency H4 Guidance and Best Available Techniques (BAT). We utilize a source-pathway-receptor model to identify potential odour release points—such as waste tipping areas, effluent treatment processes, or ventilation stacks. By detailing specific control measures, from carbon filtration and bio-scrubbers to operational "good housekeeping" protocols, we provide the technical justification needed for complex environmental permit applications and regulatory audits.
We provide specialized OMPs for a diverse range of sectors, ensuring that the plan is tailored to the specific risks of the operation:
A robust OMP must include clear procedures for routine monitoring, such as daily "sniff testing" at the site boundary and the tracking of local meteorological conditions. Crucially, the plan must outline contingency measures for "abnormal operations," such as equipment failure or extreme weather events. By including structured complaints handling and community liaison protocols, we help site operators maintain a positive relationship with neighbors and demonstrate a proactive approach to environmental stewardship, often supported by our proprietary infrastructure mapping data.
Providing a verifiable, professional Odour Management Plan is essential for discharging planning conditions and securing operational permits. Our reports provide the scientific foundation needed for a successful Planning Statement. With over 900 projects successfully delivered across the UK, SWEL brings the technical authority and professional accreditation (IES/SocEnv) required to navigate complex odour constraints and ensure your facility remains compliant and socially responsible.