A "ROTTEN egg" smell is expected to remain in a Wrexham village as work continues on a nearby landfill site. 

Last month the operators of the Hafod landfill site in Johnstown, Enovert, were handed an enforcement notice after breaching its environmental permit. 

The notice came following months of troubles at the site, which has left an ongoing odour affecting residents in the village. 

The issue first arose in October and continues to blight the area as work to address the problems takes place. 

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) recently visited the site for further inspection and confirmed work was being undertaken by Enovert to address the issue. 

However, they warned residents that the "rotten egg" smell may persist until the work is finished. 

A NRW spokesperson said: "On 31 January NRW Officers completed a further inspection. This was to check compliance with the enforcement notice served on the site operators.

"They had previously been asked to improve landfill gas control and to reduce the potential for offsite odour.

"We identified a significant amount of temporary capping work had been done on Cell 5a. The operator had been unable to fully cap the western flank due to bad weather. An extension to complete the work was granted until 8 March when our officers will return to assess compliance.

"Additional measures to improve landfill gas control are in the process of being implemented by the operator, including the drilling and installation of new gas collection wells. The operator is confident that this work will be completed by 16 February.

"However the operator is conscious that localised landfill gas odours may be observed while this work is completed and is taking steps to reduce this as much as possible.

"NRW officers will continue to inspect the site and ensure they meet the requirements of their Environmental Permit.

"Residents are encouraged to report any odours believed to be coming from the landfill to NRW on 0300 065 3000 or via our online report it form."

Councillor David A Bithell said: "I am pleased NRW had visited the site and followed up on actions. Myself and MS Ken Skates have met twice with NRW over concerns on odour which was unacceptable.

"Although I am pleased action has been taken, this could have been avoided if the company had taken a more proactive rather than reactive approach.

"The environmental permit is there for a reason and quite rightly residents who have been blighted by landfill for over 20 years expect better. People live by this every day and more needs to be done to ensure regulatory compliance.

"I recognise the improvement to date but more needs to be done."

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Mark Silvester, CEO of Enovert said: “Enovert met with NRW on 31st January to view works completed to date in accordance with our agreed action plan and we were able to demonstrate good progress, despite the recent poor weather conditions. 

"We have drilling equipment on site at present, and we have installed seven new pin wells as timetabled for this week. We have identified an opportunity for the installation of further wells in cell 5A as a precautionary measure to further aid gas capture and contribute to reducing odour emissions.

"We are discussing installation of the additional wells with NRW, and we hope to install these during the week commencing 19th February whilst the drilling resource is available at the site.”