A CHEMICAL firm blamed for causing bad smells in Ainsworth has been accused of snubbing a meeting designed to solve the problem.

Sealocrete, which manufactures chemicals and specialist products for the building industry, was due to meet last Wednesday with representatives of Ainsworth Community Association's executive committee, planning and environmental officials from Bury Council, and Councillor Barry Briggs, chairman of Radcliffe Area Board.

Coun Briggs said: "We got a phone call from the company secretary saying that Sealocrete would not be coming and had no desire to reschedule the meeting for a later date. I am very disappointed by their attitude."

The meeting was partly an opportunity to find out what the firm's intentions are for the future and to see what can be done about the smells. However, the meeting did go ahead without Sealocrete.

Mr Andy Readyhough, an executive committee member of the association, said: "Sealocrete's absence was a great disappointment, but it was still a useful and constructive meeting. The council's environmental officers made it very clear they are looking at Sealocrete to ensure they are environmentally responsible. They are taking a keen interest and appropriate action in the way the firm operates and I feel more at ease as a result of the meeting."

He said planning officers also clarified the constraints involved in the firm's proposals to sell the land for housing. In September the company proposed basing its entire operation at Ainsworth or selling the land for housing. Some villagers welcomed this, but others felt Sealocrete was putting a loaded gun to their head.

Planning officials explained that the site is designated for employment use and it is important it remains so if the village is to remain sustainable. They pointed out that regulations cannot be ignored and rules changed just to suit Sealocrete.

Sealocrete bought the Church Street site in 1999 and complaints about the odours emanating from the premises have been a major issue for villagers.

It is believed one of the main reasons Sealocrete failed to attend the meeting was because of a meeting a week earlier with environmental officers.

On that occasion the council informed Sealocrete that its operations at Ainsworth should be scaled down and that no further deliveries be received until the company is able to fully ensure that it can operate without causing "unacceptable emissions and odours".

Sealocrete is already implementing some measures and has been advised to make another application once it feels work can be carried out in a way that meets regulations.

Coun Briggs said: "There is an onus on firms to show some social responsibility for the communities in which they operate. Last week's meeting was a chance for Sealocrete to sit down with us and try and come up with some practical solutions."

Mr Readyhough will give a report of the meeting to the association's executive committee this week. The company was unavailable to comment.