Residents in the Skellingthrope village west of Lincoln have vented their frustration after their properties, gardens and vehicles were damaged by what they described as “factory pollution”.
After the hot day and heavy storms on July 31, residents on Jerusalem Road and on other streets in Skellingthorpe became concerned by a black soot-like substance apparently coming from a nearby factory.
Several residents said they tried reporting the issue to various authorities, including North Kesteven District Council and to the company who operate the factory, A Hughes & Son.
It is understood that a power cut was a contributing factor, but when The Lincolnite approached A Hughes & Son, no one from business was available for comment.
A sun chair was covered in the black soot like substance.
The substance also damaged several cars on Jerusalem Road. Photo: Sarah Jayne Henry
The site is owned by Leo Group and run by A Hughes & Son, a company which was bought by Lincoln Proteins Ltd.
Lincoln Proteins Limited proposed a new factory at Villa Farm at Norton Disney in 2018, which would see the firm move from the Skellingthorpe facility.
Developers behind the refused £28 million animal rendering plant resubmitted proposals with a new heritage site earlier this year, but it is the current site at Skellingthorpe which is causing anger amongst local residents at the moment.
DS Developing, which is an arm of the Leo Group, resubmitted plans in February to modernise the Jerusalem Road site.
North Kesteven District Council said its Environmental Protection team is working with a local company and investigations are also being undertaken by the business.
The substance damaged a child’s paddling pool. Photo: Sarah Jayne Henry
Garden furniture was also damaged. Photo: Nikki Ashcroft
The black substance also affected some residents’ flowers and gardens. Photo: Nikki Ashcroft
A North Kesteven District Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns among residents in Skellingthorpe that have arisen recently around odour and smoke, and additionally some ash.
“Our Environmental Protection team is in touch with a local company and we understand investigations are being undertaken by the business.
“The cause of the ash is not yet confirmed, however. We are also increasing our odour monitoring within the area.”
Damage was done to people’s gardens, including on ledges and patios. Photo: Nikki Ashcroft
Several people aired their concerns in a local Facebook group and one of the affected residents Nikki Ashcroft, who lives on Jerusalem Road, told The Lincolnite that she had never complained at anything before now, as she knew the factory was nearby her and her husband moved into the area 17 years ago.
However, she is unhappy at the recent damage caused, with an oily black soot type material all over the outside of the conservatory and its roof, as well as on the decking, new seating, patio slabs and flowers. She said all the cars on the street were also covered in the substance, including their van.
The black soot like material caused damage to several cars in the village. Photo: Nikki Ashcroft
When she spoke to A Hughes & Son she said they were helpful and took her details, but she claimed when they phoned her back later the firm denied responsibility and told her it was caused by a “freak of nature”.
She said: “I am very upset about what has happened and the smell seems to be getting worse from the plant.
“It would be good if somebody could come and clean the mess and we plan to speak to the council soon. If the factory is going to stay here in the future, I’d like to see it have a better filtration system.”
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Have I Got News For You star Paul Merton will perform his show ‘Impro Chums’ on stage at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln later this month.
Merton, Richard Vranch, Suki Webster, Mike McShane, and accompanist Kirsty Newton are back on the road, with Lincoln among the stops on the tour for an evening of improvisation.
Tickets are on sale priced at £25 for the show at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 31 – buy your tickets here.
Merton is a writer, actor, comedian and radio and television present, who is known for his improvisation skill and deadpan humour. He is a founder member of The Comedy Store Players and still appears at the Comedy Store in London most Sundays.
The 64-year-old is also a resident guest on BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute and his travel series on Channel Five called Paul Merton’s Adventures covered India, China and Europe. Last summer he co-stared with Suki Website in Motorhoming with Paul Merton as part of a six-part travel documentary for Channel 5.
His autobiography ‘Only When I Laugh’ reached the Sunday Times bestseller Top 10.
A 22-year-old man who died in a motorbike crash in Lincoln will be given a final send off with a rip-roaring procession on the way to his funeral.
Connor Peters, 22, tragically died in a crash on the B1190 Lincoln Road on Monday, May 9, as his black Lexmoto motorcycle collided with a white Isuzu van.
He unfortunately died at the scene, and a fundraiser was set up for the “cheeky, loveable rogue” to have the send off “he deserves”. At the time of reporting there is a remarkable £5,000 on the GoFundMe page, which you can visit here.
Connor Peters, pictured here with his mum, tragically died in a crash on Monday, May 9. | Photo: GoFundMe
Now, plans have been made for a motorbike procession to join the hearse taking Connor to his funeral service. The event, titled Connor Peters’ Last Ride, has been organised by his brother Josh.
It will take place at 11.50am on Monday, June 13, starting from Larne Road in Lincoln.
Josh says on the event’s Facebook page: “As a family, we are wanting a full motorcycle procession behind the funeral car, we want as many bikes, trikes, mopeds anything. We want so much noise remove all baffles removed, pops and bangs enough so he can hear from up there.
“Connor was a 22 year old lad that was full of life and was loved by so many, he loved his little 125cc, he thought that he had finally hit the big time but due to a awful turn of events he lost his life doing something he loved.
“For many of us bikers we can understand the love and passion he had for that short period of time. A biker fallen hits us all but we all club together to make an effort to remember those we lost.”
Whatsapp
