In a meeting on Friday organised by Oliver, the Environment Agency (EA) has pledged to tackle the appalling smells emitted from the Reviva recycling plant near Elstree village.

Oliver convened the meeting following the huge number of complaints he has received about the impact of the plant on the surrounding area. Also in attendance were the Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Morris Bright, Hertfordshire County Councillor, Cllr Caroline Clapper and representatives from local residents’ campaigning groups.

At the meeting Mr Simon Hawkins, the EA’s Area Director for Hertfordshire, and Mr Alex Chown, Environment Manager for the county, stated they understood local people’s serious concerns over the impact of the plant and committed to an action plan to shut down the operations causing the stink from the site.

Speaking afterwards Oliver said: ‘I know just how angry and concerned local people are about the Reviva recycling plant.

‘This problem has gone on for far too long and I was pleased to hear the Environment Agency accept this. The action plan they committed to will set out clear steps for stopping these appalling smells and I am eagerly awaiting the further details from them that will be coming in the next few days.

‘I am also glad that through this meeting residents had the chance to express the views directly to decision makers at the Environment Agency and representatives from our local councils.’

Reviva began operations at the Elstree site in 2011 and specialises in recycling and composting industrial quantities of organic waste. They have been reprimanded on numerous occasions over the past few years by the Borough Council and the Environment Agency for the smells emitted by the plant during this process, however, so far little progress has been made to curb this.

Oliver visited the site to see the plant first-hand last year with Mr Matthew Offord MP, his parliamentary neighbour in Hendon, and meets regularly with affected local residents.

Oliver added ‘Sadly, it was clear from the Environment Agency that this problem will not be fixed overnight, but I hope that residents can take some encouragement from this meeting that progress is being made. I will continue to work on this on behalf of my constituents.’