'Factory smell is so bad we can't open windows'

People living near a glass recycling factory have complained about a "stench" emanating from the site that stops them opening their windows.

Universal Glass in Dinnington processes waste glass and recycles it into new glass models, but neighbours have compared the smell from the plant to a rubbish dump.

Rotherham Council issued an abatement notice to the company earlier this year and said officers were monitoring the situation.

Michelle Hughes, who runs a local action group, said: "You can't open your windows. You can't put your washing out. It makes you choke."

She has gathered impact statements from other residents as evidence to present to the council.

"It's like living near a dump site.

"If you walk up and down the street, you tend to cover your mouth up, cover your nose up and we shouldn't have to do that. "

John Feek is a health and wellbeing practitioner who lives close to the recycling site entrance.

"In the morning your first breath makes you retch," he said.

"It makes you sick. It smells like faecal waste."

Local councillor Julia Hall initially thought it was the smell of "maggots spreading on farms" and said residents were "angry".

"It definitely needs sorting. We want to breathe in clean air, not air with particles of glass in it, that horrible smell."

Universal Glass opened on Rotherham Road in 2025 and the company has been given 28 days to "abate the Statutory Odour Nuisance and prevent any further recurrences".

Rotherham Council's service director for community safety and street scene, Sam Barstow, confirmed that in order to support residents they had set up a "ring when happening service" to allow immediate reporting.

The BBC has approached Universal Glass for comment but has not yet received a response.

On their website Universal Glass said their recycled glass products, "help create a better environment for the planet, away from pollution and waste".

Local resident Toni Feek is expecting her first baby and has questioned whether the "environment" is right for her child.

"The weather is getting warmer. We've been wanting to do some pottering around the garden and in the garage.

"The smell was disgusting. It's really upsetting and frustrating as well."

Hughes added that people "don't want to close down" the site.

"I would say just clean your act up, we want to work with you, we know that you're a recycling place and we're quite happy to work with them but we can't put up with the smell."

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