The Environment Agency has launched a consultation into its
‘minded to' decision to issue a permit to a Bury landfill.
Valencia Waste Management applied for an environmental permit to
increase the permitted quantities for treatment of mixed
non-hazardous waste at its Pilsworth South waste management
facility at Pilsworth Road.
After reviewing 291 responses 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 is on the
Environment
Agency's Citizen Space page.
The consultation into the ‘minded to' decision documents will
close at the end of Thursday 3 July 2025.
EA wants to ‘hear people's views'
Nigel Glasgow, Area Environment Manager for the Environment
Agency in Greater Manchester,
We have carefully considered all the documents provided to us by
Valencia Waste Management as well as the consultation comments
and currently can't find any reason to refuse the permit
application.
We want to hear people's views on the draft decision and those
interested are encouraged to view the draft documents and provide
comments.
We will make our final decision once we have reviewed the
responses to this consultation.
The purpose of the treatment is to recover the metals, wood and
plastic for recycling, and to prepare the combustible wastes for
use in energy recovery off-site.
The residual waste will, where possible, be used in landfill
engineering, otherwise it will be disposed of in the landfill.
The treatment will take place in a purpose-built building with
specialised equipment capable of treating up to 250,000 tonnes
per year.
Legal requirements
The original consultation into this application took place ended
on 23 August 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 will 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.
- Our powers include enforcement notices, suspension and
revocation of permits, fines and ultimately criminal sanctions,
including prosecution.
- We 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
- Responses to the consultation can be made
electronically.
- People can respond directly on the website or alternatively
by email to pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk
- Those unable to view the documents or make representation via
the consultation website or by email should contact the
Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.
