Odour & Dust case study

Odour Modelling Case Study

Background

Our client proposed the construction of up to 120 homes at a site in Hampshire. The site was directly south of a pig farm, and our client was concerned that odours from the pig farm would impact the residents of the development once occupied. SRL was appointed to assess the impact of the odour on the proposed development and recommend any necessary solutions.

Challenge

The client was concerned that odours from the pig farm would negatively impact residents of the development. A quantitative odour assessment was necessary to understand the dispersion of odour from the pig farm and the potential odour impact on the proposed development. On-site sniff tests were required after the modelling was complete to assess the accuracy of the model.

Solution

We used ADMS 5 to model the dispersion of odour from the pig farm and the impact of odour on the proposed development. We created colour coded contour plots to visually display the dispersal and impact of odours across the proposed development. The results of the modelling showed there would likely be an insignificant odour impact on the proposed development.

Two of our in-house calibrated noses then performed on-site sniff tests on 3 non-consecutive days with suitable weather conditions. The results of the sniff tests showed the model appeared to have underpredicted the odour impact on the site. The sniff testing found a substantial adverse odour impact at the northern site boundary. We therefore recommended that the area of the site along the northern site boundary should not be considered for development, to protect against residents being exposed to significant odour impacts.