Residents in a small Kent community are contending with severe discomfort, including vomiting, sleep disturbances, and eye irritation, all attributed to a noxious sewage odor emanating from a nearby development at Oxenden Park. The situation in Chestfield, near Whitstable, has become intolerable for locals, who claim that the smell, originating from waste being pumped through the estate into the sewer network and Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment Works, is due to low property occupancy rates causing wastewater to stagnate in the local pipes.

Among those affected is Celena Campbell, 71, who highlighted the detrimental effects of the odor on mental health, noting its intermittent but “absolutely horrendous” nature, with one resident reportedly falling ill from it. Efforts to address the issue, including temporary sewage digestion fixes and the use of treatment chemicals by developers Bellway, have been unsuccessful, leading to a recurrence of the problem.

The gravity of the situation prompted a group of residents to stage a protest at the estate on April 12, expressing their frustrations. Mandy Friend, one of the protesters, shared the challenges of coping with the smell, describing the lengths she goes to in an attempt to mask it, from excessive use of bleach and scented candles to the inability to open windows due to the pervasive odor seeping in.

Bellway acknowledged the issue and assured that they are actively collaborating with technical teams and contractors to find a swift resolution. Plans are in place to reinstate a temporary solution to resume normal sewage flow, with previous waste removal by tankers from the estate. The company emphasized their commitment to addressing the matter promptly and effectively.