THE source of a pungent smell which wafts through a North Somerset village has been eliminated

THE source of a pungent smell which wafts through a North Somerset village has been eliminated.Letters have been sent to villagers telling them that Langford mushroom farm Monaghan Mushrooms will no longer produce the compost which has plagued its neighbours with strong smells for years.The Stock Lane firm was due to be prosecuted by North Somerset Council for failing to eliminate the smells after an abatement notice was served on it more than two years ago.But the case has been put on hold after council officers struck a deal with the company over how the compost used to grow the mushrooms is managed.Monaghan used to produce the compost on site but now a new system has been introduced where it is imported from Holland.The imported compost will go straight into the growing houses, dramatically reducing the odours which surround the site.For years residents have campaigned for an end to the nuisance smells and the odour has become renowned across the district.The mushroom farm has been warned by the council that legal action is still a possibility if the smells return.A council spokesman said: "A further clean up of the site has been made, including the removal of any old accumulations of compost and the clearing of the drains on site."The existing water tank is no longer in use and is currently being emptied. Measures have been introduced to remove the spent compost from the site once it comes out of the growing houses."I appreciate this matter has taken a long period to resolve due to its complex nature and I am sure there are some concerns Monaghan may be tempted to revert back to old methods in the future."Regular monitoring of the site will continue for the foreseeable future and Monaghan has been advised the abatement notice previously served remains in force and legal action would be likely should a nuisance reoccur."Monaghan Mushrooms has declined to comment.