East Ayrshire Council said it is working on ways to stop lorries carrying fertiliser from parking on vacant land in New Cumnock.

We reported this week how residents in the the village had been concerned by an "awful stench" around the Castle area.

Lorries had been seen parking in the open land across from the pharmacy on Castle.

After locals searched for answers about the smell in the area and the convoy of lorries often seen in the grounds, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said that vehicles were carrying "sewage sludge" to the Garleffan and Grievehill former opencast mining site, as part of restoration work taking place at the site.

READ MORE: New Cumnock residents concerned about 'human excrement' being dumped

It's an issue that has apparently been ongoing for a few months, with similar issues happening just outside of the village as well.

SEPA added that this is being done as part of restoration work "being undertaken at the site under a Waste Management Licence Exemption".

Andy Clapperton from New Cumnock said that he had contacted SEPA and East Ayrshire Council (EAC) about the issue, before receiving an answer this week.

Working as part of the team at New Cumnock Swimming Pool, Andy says it's an issue that a lot of people are becoming fed up with.

Despite promises from SEPA and EAC that work will be done to stop the lorries from parking and driving through New Cumnock, he says he'll believe it when he sees it.

Andy said: “Everybody is up in arms about this, it’s absolutely disgraceful that this is happening.

"Absolutely nobody would want this to be happening in or around their village.

"I'm glad I've finally been given a bit of an answer, but let's see if it's just empty promises."

A section of the problem area in New Cumnock.A section of the problem area in New Cumnock. (Image: Street view)

An East Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "East Ayrshire Council can confirm it has been made aware of lorries parking within its housing site in New Cumnock.

"Investigations have been carried out and the Council can confirm that the lorries are carrying pellets that are used to fertilise land.

"While there are no health and safety concerns regarding the contents of the lorries, the council recognises the concern from the local community.

"Officers are looking into the matter and will consider a number of options including restricting access to this site."

SEPA added that it regulates "waste management activities at the location including offensive odours with offsite impact, however do not regulate odour from waste while in transit.

“We notified the site operator about these concerns and they informed us they have instructed waste transit vehicles to no longer stop in New Cumnock. We continue to liaise with the operator to ensure compliance with licence regulations.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank those members of the public who submitted reports."