A disgruntled homeowner living close to Shepherd Neame in Faversham has hit out at a "saturating stink" caused by the brewery.

Former journalist Mark Gardner, who lives in Partridge Lane, has called on the company to find a solution to "this sorry saga".

He claims brewery bosses have failed to address issues caused by the installation of a £1 million water filtration plant four years ago, which he believes the "unsavoury stench" is a by-product.

Mr Gardner said: "Constant assurances that improvements are in hand have failed to materialise and the promised 'new dawn' assumes mirage status.

"The company has emphasised in several statements that the foul smell is harmless.

"A questionable assertion since prolonged exposure creates nauseous feelings and affects strongly one's sense of wellbeing.

"For a pungent liquid and accompanying steam to be issuing from a pipe in the open air is positively medieval and a far cry from 21st-century cutting edge."

Mr Gardner says the smell tends to be worse in hot weather and at weekends, and that visitors to the recent open gardens day on Sunday, June 30, were "assailed in parts of the town by a saturating stink".

He was led to believe the pungent smell that weekend was caused by spillage from the plant into the drains, but this was not the case.

Mr Gardner added: "There must be a solution to this long-running sorry saga?

"If the will is there, then surely there is a way to stop this environmental scourge and consequential misery? We can but hope."

"For a pungent liquid and accompanying steam to be issuing from a pipe in the open air is positively medieval and a far cry from 21st-century cutting edge" - Mark Gardner

Shepherd Neame has apologised for the odour but says claims that there was a spillage are "incorrect".

A spokesman for Britian's oldest brewery said: "We work closely with the local community as a long-standing and responsible manufacturer and so are disappointed by these comments.

"Shepherd Neame is a multi-award winning brewery, run efficiently and effectively.

"We have invested substantially in a state-of-the-art water recovery plant as part of our pioneering work to introduce sustainable brewing methods.

"This plant recovers and purifies water after it has been used in brewing.

"At full capacity this can reduce water usage by up to 40%, thus reducing the impact on the environment and use of natural resources.

"The suggestion that there was a spillage at the plant is incorrect.

"The process uses highly sophisticated technology but it is also a natural and organic process, so periodically there can be a localised, intermittent and harmless odour.

"This odour generally disperses quickly.

"We apologise to anyone inconvenienced by this odour."

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