Lagoons full of dirty water and fertiliser with a “moderately offensive odour” could be built within two miles of a wedding venue and schools.

A planning application was submitted to Braintree Council by Ripper Farms Ltd to create three lagoons full of liquid digestate, used as fertiliser, in three locations on Gosfield Airfield, Hedingham Road.

The 0.81 hectare site is located less than two miles away from Gosfield Hall, Gosfield School and St Margaret’s Prep School and Nursery.

The application said: “The odour assessment states the odour would be described as moderately offensive.

“There is insufficient detail about the digestate to ascertain if the odour should be classed as most offensive.

“If‘most offensive was correct the results of the odour assessment would show unacceptable levels of odour at nearby receptors.”

The liquid digestate would be stored in the lagoons, along with dirty water, storm water and slurries for spreading on the applicant’s land.

The proposed site, owned by the applicant, is unused and unmaintained with a surrounding of shrubs and bushes.

The three applications have so far amassed 24 objection comments in total.

One comment by Barry Mattock, a resident of one of the named houses in the odour assessment report, said: “We would like to make our objections and concerns known to you.

“Firstly we are very concerned that as one of the named houses in the odour assessment report we have not at any point been notified by yourselves or by the developer of the proposed lagoons.

“Surely this goes against planning process rules?

“We would also like to be given some assurances that should this unfortunate development go ahead that strict controls are in place to ensure planning controls are adhered to.”

Another nearby resident, Sam Trafford, said: “We were never informed about this by the council although we live less than half a mile from the proposed site.

“We keep honey bees who travel up to three miles when foraging in summer.

“We also spend most of the summer working on our organic smallholding outside and the odour will be extremely unpleasant and unhealthy.”

For information visit publicaccess.braintree.gov.uk.