COMPLAINTS have been raised by residents living near a care home in Welshpool, about the smell and noise coming from a new external fan.

Powys County Council (PCC) has received a formal complaint from Gavin Watt of Cobden Street and he questioned not just the noise and smell – but also whether The Hermitage Care Home on Salop Road needed permission for the fan in the first place.

The Hermitage has said that the problem should be resolved as it has had the fault fixed.

Mr Watt said: “This problem has been going on for months.

“When I raised the complaint back in September it was not just about noise and odour but also that this opening should not be there and I said this to PCC’s planning department.”

Mr Watt said that he had been discussing the issue with staff from PCC’s environmental health department and wanted to see a site visit take place.

Mr Watt added: “Government guidelines clearly states that with any development of this kind, consideration must be given at the design and planning stage, including an assessment taken if the impact of noise and odour on the local amenity is likely.”

Mr Watt has been told that the extraction system for the care home’s kitchen would not need planning permission.

In response he said: “Obviously there is a gaping hole in the regulations.”

A spokesperson for PCC said:  “We can confirm the council has received a complaint about noise and odour from an external fan at the Hermitage Care Home in Welshpool.

“Environmental health officers have investigated the site and advised operators that improvements are need.

“Work has already taken place to reduce noise from the fan and improvements are planned shortly to remedy issues with odour.

“The site will be re-inspected by officers after work has been completed.”

A spokesperson for The Hermitage said: “The problem has been solved, the fault was repaired and signed off.”

The home is able to accommodate 32 residents.