Upgrades to reduce the stench at a sewage works have been granted planning permission.

The £250million overhaul of Deephams sewage works, in Picketts Lock Lane, Edmonton, is intended to reduce odour by 99 per cent from the site.

The scheme was given the green light by Enfield Borough Council last week, and sewage works is also guaranteeing at least 20 per cent of jobs created at the site going to people living in the borough.

Thames Water's head of waste water treatment Nigel Watts said: “We’re grateful to everyone who submitted their feedback on our plans during the two consultation periods last year and are delighted so many people have been supportive of what we’re proposing.

“Getting the go-ahead to make such significant improvements at Deephams is a real boost, and something which will benefit the surrounding area by reducing odour, making it fit for the future and creating jobs, many for local people. Preparation work is already underway and we can’t wait to get started.

“It’s vital our customers continue to have their waste removed and treated as normal during the work, so that was a major consideration when drawing up the plans. We’re also mindful of keeping disruption from noise and lorry movements to a minimum so will have strict rules on when vehicles can enter and leave. We’re determined to be as a good a neighbour as we can be.”

The project is expected to be completed by autumn 2018.