An Elstree composting site has been ordered to enclose its borders after nearly 100 neighbouring households complained about the stench.

Neighbours as far as Edgware argued that the Reviva composting plant, on Elstree Hill South, was “tainting” their lives with its “revolting” smell.

Myk Tucker, of Hillersdon Avenue, said: “Enough is enough. I don’t live as close to the site as some residents, I live a mile and half away, but they are bad neighbours to have. It needs to be shut down.

“I don’t know what health issues must be affecting people who live near the site but in the summer, when it’s hot and the smell lingers, it’s awful.”

Hertsmere Borough Council served Reviva Composting Ltd with an odour abatement notice last December in an attempt to quell the smell.

A hearing took place at St Albans Magistrates Court on June 28 to consider an appeal against the notice by the composting company. It was originally due to take three days.

However, at the hearing, the legal team representing Reviva bowed to the will of the unhappy residents, and offered to enclose the entire site to address the smell complaints.

The sitting district judge set a 12 month timescale from when planning permission was attained for the works to be completed. He stated that planning permission for the improvements must be applied for no later than September 30.

However Mr Tucker said this would not help the people of Barnet, Harrow and Hertsmere - all of whom can be reached by the odour - as they would have to endure another unpleasant, smelly summer.

He added that the process for gaining planning permission could be long and drawn out even once the wheels had been set in motion.

“It could take two years at the worst. They are not going to be stopped from what they are doing in the meantime,” he said.

“It’s not going to make a difference in the short-term. I don’t think they care about local people – they will do whatever they can to delay it.”

As well as conceding to the odour abatement notice, Reviva made a contribution of £3,750 towards the council’s legal costs.

People wishing to complain about the site should contact the Environment Agency Incident Hotline on 0800 807060.