Information on the proposed Energy Recovery Facility in Javelin Park, Haresfield, Gloucestershire - updated 22 May 2013
Latest news
Urbaser Environmental Limited applied to us for an environmental permit to operate an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) to process non-hazardous waste at Javelin Park, Haresfield, Gloucestershire. We have now reviewed and taken into account the information gathered from our public consultations on this application. On this basis we have made our final decision, which is to grant an environmental permit to Urbaser Environmental Ltd. You can still view the application, supporting documentation and draft decision documents at our e-consultation webpage, but please note the consultation has now closed.
What's happened so far?
We received an environmental permit application from Urbaser Environmental Limited for an Energy recovery facility (ERF) at Javelin Park, Haresfield, Gloucestershire. Before the ERF plant can be built, Urbaser would also need to obtain planning permission from Gloucestershire County Council. The planning process determines whether the development is an acceptable use of land and considers a broad range of matters such as visual impact, need for the development, traffic and access – all of which do not form part of our decision-making process.
To inform our decision making process we held a consultation and asked members of the public for their comments on the environmental permit application. We also asked Stroud District Council, (Environmental Health), Gloucestershire County Council (Planning Authority), Health and Safety Executive, the Health Protection Agency, Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Natural England, Food Standards Agency, Severn Trent Water Limited, Gloucester City Council and the Highways Agency if they had any comments or concerns about this permit application.
Our first consultation ran from 18 May to 6 July 2012. We received 27 responses from members of the public in this round of consultation, some of which were detailed and extensive and some of which were group responses.
Consultation on the draft decision for the permit application
To inform our decision making process we held two consultations and asked members of the public for their comments on the environmental permit application. We also asked Stroud District Council, (Environmental Health), Gloucestershire County Council (Planning Authority), Health and Safety Executive, the Health Protection Agency, Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Natural England, Food Standards Agency, Severn Trent Water Limited, Gloucester City Council and the Highways Agency if they had any comments or concerns about this permit application.
Our first consultation ran from 18 May to 6 July 2012. We received 27 responses from members of the public in this round of consultation, some of which were detailed and extensive and some of which were group responses.On the basis of the information we received from the first consultation we made our draft decision on the application.
To help us make our final decision on whether to grant or refuse the permit we consulted on our draft decision. Our draft decisiondocuments summarised what we did to take account of legal and technical requirements, and consultation comments we received about the application.
Our second consultation ran from 20 February 2013 to 12 April 2013. As part of the consultation we held a drop in session on 12 March 2013 at Stonehouse Town Hall, High Street, Stonehouse, Gloucesteshire, GL10 2NG, where our staff were available to answer questions and discuss any concerns. Members of the public were also able to provide any comments on our draft decision at the drop in.
You can still view a copy of the draft decision documents free of charge at the following places:
The Environment Agency
Riversmeet House
Newtown Industrial Estate
Northway Lane
Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire
GL20 8JG
Tel: 01743 283410
Stroud District Council
Ebley Mill
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL45 4UB
Tel: 01453 754234
Before you travel, please call your chosen venue to ensure the application is available to view.
How do we decide?
We had to be satisfied that the facility could operate without causing significant pollution before we granted an environmental permit.
Before granting a permit we made sure that:
- the incinerator is designed and is operated to meet stringent controls
- the standards used in the design, maintenance and operation of the incinerator meet and achieve, as a minimum, relevant European and UK standards
- we assess the predicted releases to air, water and land and consider their effect on the environment as a whole
- the best available techniques are used to minimise pollution including odour, noise and vibration
Once the facility becomes operational we would carry out periodic audits, inspections and check monitoring to make sure the operator is complying with the permit conditions. We would review permit conditions and could change them at any time. If an operator breaches the conditions of their permit, we would take appropriate enforcement action and/or prosecute depending on the seriousness of the breach.
Further information
