Have your say on proposed Rivenhall waste site permit decision
People are being invited to have their say on the Environment Agency's proposal to revise a permit previously granted for a waste management facility.
Gent Fairhead & Co. Ltd was granted planning permission in 2010 to build the Rivenhall Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF).
An environmental permit is also required before the site can be operated and this was issued by the Environment Agency in 2017.
The company is now seeking to vary the permit and the Environment Agency is inviting the public to have their say on our intention to accept the company’s proposals.
The company’s application seeks to change current permit conditions in order to allow a reduction in the height of the incinerator stack from 58 metres to 35 metres.
The application also seeks to apply stricter limits on emissions of oxides of nitrogen (so called NOx), sulphur dioxide and lower limits for certain heavy metals compared to those currently stipulated in the permit.
The company’s application also seeks to change the primary means of controlling NOx emissions.
At present, the permit requires the use of Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) for NOx abatement. The variation application proposes the use of an advanced SNCR system.
An advanced system will optimise the reaction between ammonia dosing and NOx resulting in lower levels emitted from the plant in order to comply with the stricter limits.
The Environment Agency consulted the public on the variation application between 24 January and 21 February 2019 and received a total of 137 responses.
After carefully considering the application over the last 12 months, including all received consultation responses, the Environment Agency is now proposing to accept the changes requested by the company.
A spokesperson said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who wants to have their say on our proposal before we make a final decision.
“Our draft decision document sets out in detail the reasoning for our current proposed decision.
“The draft decision document also provides details of our consideration of those issues/concerns raised by the public during the consultation earlier this year.”
What happens now?
The Environment Agency is holding a period of public consultation on its proposed decision, which starts on 9 January 2020 and will end on 6 February 2020.
As part of the consultation a local drop-in event will be held, during which members of the public will be able to ask questions of Environment Agency technical officers and discuss any issues of concern.
The drop-in event will be held on Friday, 10 January 2020, between 2pm and 7pm at Rivenhall Village Hall, 54 Church Rd, Rivenhall, Witham CM8 3PH
• Having previously consulted the public at the time the application was received, the Environment Agency is now asking for comments specifically in relation to its proposed decision and the reasons provided in the draft decision document.
• The public can view the draft variation notice, draft decision document and also make comments on-line here
• Please note that this link will only go ‘live’ from 9 January 2020.
• You can also view the documents at the Environment Agency office on the Threshelfords Business Park, Inworth Road, Kelvedon CO5 9SE. • Anyone looking to have their say on the application can send comments to: Permitting and Support Centre, Land Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Ave, Sheffield S9 4WF
• You can also send an email pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk