New figures show more than 10,000 complaints about smells were made to local authorities across Northern Ireland in the five years to 2025.

Fewer than 60 enforcement actions were taken during the same period.

The Mid Ulster council area recorded the largest increase, with complaints tripling between 2021 and 2025. The council did not issue any enforcement notices.

Residents near Granville Industrial Estate in County Tyrone reported that odours from factories on the site made it necessary to keep windows closed and prevented use of outdoor space.

Nearly 400 complaints were made to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency about factories at the estate between October 2020 and October 2025.

The agency recorded 50 occasions when odour was detected during inspections at one site between 2021 and 2025, and issued four notices of permit condition breaches at two factories on the estate.

Local councils and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency are the main bodies responsible for investigating odour reports.