The Environment Agency has confirmed that County Durham villages plagued by a "noxious" smell have had odours strong enough to breach "nuisance" levels.

Residents from Aycliffe Village and Brafferton have expressed their scepticism at the findings and highlighted how the monitoring did not take place when the smell was worst earlier this year.

A report used data from an air quality monitoring station in Brafferton to show that smells passed the threshold for 16 hours in the last 98 days.

The report described the findings from the report as encouraging as whilst they show an occasional presence of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) they do not think it is present at any significant levels or for any concerning periods of time.

It stated: "The level of H2S has not breached the World Health Organisation (WHO) 24-hour average limit (150 micrograms per cubic meter), with a peak 24-hour average result of 2.9 micrograms per cubic meter.

"The odour annoyance threshold is set at 7 micrograms per cubic meter, the data gathered so far indicates that the air quality at the monitoring location was above this value for 0.7% of the monitoring period.

"This equates to 16 hours over a period of 98 days."

Stuart Hodgson, a resident in Brafferton, described how he feels residents have been "left in the dark" for the last year.

(Image: Northern Echo) He said: "I have read the report and it has been a nuisance but this time last year and into late spring or early summer it was far worse.

"The Environment Agency installed the air monitor once the main problem of Ashcourt exposing old waste in cells 2, 3, and 4 was almost recovered it took over six months from a monitor being available to be installed.

"The time when it seriously affected peoples health they used hand held equipment at selective times.

"Ashcourt has refused to communicate with residents. We were all left in the dark.

"Residents should not have had to suffer and should never have to suffer this again."

(Image: Northern Echo) Fellow resident Katie Walsh, also living in Brafferton, said: "The WHO constitution states 'health is a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being' and although the readings might not suggest any long lasting health impacts the smell from the quarry has most certainly been impactful on our health.

"Days of being unable to open windows, dry washing outside, host social events or benefit from the outdoors have been hugely detrimental to the quality of our lives over the past year.

"We've had no apologies from the quarry operators on the impact this ongoing smell has had on our lives whilst the EA have toothlessly set targets for remedial action that are extended with seemingly no consequences."

Gary Wallace, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said: "We understand how unpleasant the odours have been for the community and we’re committed to ensuring the operator continues to take action to reduce gas emissions.

"The interim results from the fixed air monitoring unit, which has been in place since June, are encouraging.

"We continue to assess the site regularly and provide updates to the local community."

Alan Strickland, Labour MP for Newton Aycliffe, said: "This is an important local issue which I’m monitoring very closely, including visiting the site with Darlington MP Lola McEvoy and Environment Agency officials.

"I’m pleased to see the air quality results show improvement and will continue to raise this on behalf of residents."

Lola McEvoy, Labour MP for Darlington, said: "It’s encouraging to see some progress on this issue which I know has been causing distress for constituents in Darlington and Newton Aycliffe. 

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"Alan Strickland and I are working closely on this with the Environment Agency and also recently visited the site to assess the progress being made. 

"We will be keeping a close eye on this situation and will ensure residents’ views continue to be heard."

The Ashcourt Group have been contacted for comment.