The Environment Agency has launched a consultation into its
‘minded to' decision to issue a permit to a Teesside incinerator.
Viridor Tees Valley Ltd applied for an environmental permit to
operate an Energy Recovery Facility incinerating non-hazardous
waste at Grangetown in Redcar.
After reviewing 27 comments and evidence from the original
consultation last year the Environment Agency is ‘minded to'
issue the environmental permit.
This means after exploring the issues and concerns that have been
raised, it can't find any reason to refuse the application, but
is yet to make a final decision.
A draft permit document and draft decision document can be
found here.
The consultation into the ‘minded to' decision documents
will close at the end of Tuesday 3
June.Documents have been ‘carefully
considered'
Gary Wallace, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency
in the North East, said:
We have carefully considered all the documents provided to us by
Viridor, as well as the consultation comments, and currently
can't find any reason to refuse the permit application.
We're keen to hear people's views on this draft decision and
encourage those interested to view the decision documents and
send us their comments.
We will make our final decision once we have reviewed the
responses to this consultation.
The original consultation into this application took place
between 2 September and 14 October 2024.
The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit application if it
does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under
environmental legislation, including if it will have an
unacceptable impact on the environment or harm human health.
If all the requirements are met, it is legally obliged to issue a
permit.
The draft decision document explains the Environment Agency's
decision-making and outlines how it has considered the comments
from the original consultation. The draft permit outlines the
conditions would need to meet if the permit is granted.
The Environment Agency would only issue the permit if it is
satisfied the operator could comply with the permit conditions
and has appropriate systems in place to operate the incinerator
without causing harm to the environment, human health or
wildlife.
People can respond to the consultation directly on the website or
alternatively by email to pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk
Background
Environmental permits
- Environmental permits set out strict legal conditions by
which an operator must comply in order to protect people and the
environment. Should an environmental permit be issued, the
Environment Agency has responsibility for enforcing its
conditions.
- The Environment Agency's powers include enforcement notices,
suspension and revocation of permits, fines and ultimately
criminal sanctions, including prosecution.
- The Environment Agency may only refuse a permit if it does
not meet one or more of the legal requirements under
environmental legislation, including if it will have a
significant impact on the environment or harm human health. If
all the requirements are met, we are legally required to issue a
permit.
Consultation responses
