PEOPLE affected by unpleasant smells coming from a pig farm have been given a chance to voice their protests.

Nicholas Compton, the owner of Fairfield Piggeries, Bradford Leigh, has applied for a permit under new legislation to carry on treating animal by-products to be used as pig food. People have been given 28 days to comment on his application.

West Wiltshire District Council environmental health officer Kate Bishop said: "He has applied to us for a permit to operate under the pollution prevention and control regulations, which is a new regime.

"He has been operating the process for a long, long time but there has been a change in the laws that no longer exempts agricultural businesses from applying."

The farm has long been the source of discontent among nearby residents and an odour abatement notice was served against Mr Compton several years ago.

Since he spent thousands of pounds on improvements in order to comply with regulations complaints have fallen.

Ms Bishop said: "There have been improvements and we have fewer complaints than we used to but we do get complaints from members of the public.

"Legal action was taken and he is still under an abatement notice and we keep a close eye on the situation."

Town councillor Philip Sutton has called on people to take the chance to make their voices heard.

He said: "The problem has lessened in terms of both frequency and intensity but we do still get the smells.

"This is an opportunity for people to object to the granting of the permit and if they do object they should contact environmental health."

Any comments on the application should be made in writing and sent to the West Wiltshire District Council offices, Bradley Road, Trowbridge.

Mr Compton was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.