More than 40 complaints about the food waste plant have been lodged with the Environment Agency since it opened in July.

The Environment Agency said that it has received 44 complaints about the site to do with the noise and smell.

However, it could not give specific figures as to how many individuals lodged complaints and said that a number of people had complained several times.

Brenda Lake, of Halstead Road, Colne Engaine, said: “Unfortunately, we live directly in line with the prevailing south westerly wind and suffer the terrible smell that comes from the waste recycling plant."

A spokesman from Tamar Energy said: “We take any complaints we receive extremely seriously, and are working closely with the small number of people who have reported issues, alongside our technology provider and the Environment Agency, to make sure these are resolved to our high standards."