Wincanton residents are fuming over the strong aroma from a local coffee merchant.

Some Wincanton residents claim the fumes from a coffee merchant over the road are so bad they can ‘force them indoors’.
Coffee Sense, also home to the Coffee Pod, on the Bennetts Field Trading Estate, is applying to change the use of the building to allow for roast, grind, process and pack products.
Agent Paul Dance Limited says the application has been submitted as ‘a matter of goodwill’ after a complaint to South Somerset District Council over the issue.

“The application has arisen from a complaint to the council’s EHO (Environmental Health Officer) regarding roasting exhaust fumes,” it said. “The EHO has visited and details provided.”
The application gives details of a filter system in place, as well as outlining concessions given to residents, including not roasting when the wind is from a south-south-east direction.
“It should be noted, as a matter of goodwill to the neighbours who are located some way away and across a busy main road, the applicants have fitted a cowl to the chimney to direct fumes away from the direction of the houses,” the plan said.
“Also, they do not roast when the wind is from a SSE direction. As such, we consider there is not an issue.”

However, residents commenting on the plan says the fumes are causing problems – and urged to council to look into any potential health implications.
“We object most strongly to this application,” one Hawkers Bridge resident wrote.
“The fumes and smoke generated is completely unacceptable, especially in summer months when you cannot keep windows open or sit comfortably in the garden because of the fumes.”
“We would like to see that a business operating in this way has all the correct safety and environment processes installed so that there is no health hazards to anyone in the local community.”
Another submission said: “As the nearest residential property to this business I object to the change of use… because of the smell, fumes and smoke.
“Often, in summer, when we are in the garden the smoke and fumes spoil the enjoyment, forcing us to go indoors.”

For more details, and to comment, log on to southsomerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 22/03426/COU.