New moves in plans to build incinerator
Campaigners who have fought a battle to stop a controversial incinerator being built in Horsham are seeking advice following new information from the Environment Agency.
Waste management firm Britaniacrest Recycling announced in November 2020 that it planned to start building the incinerator last summer after a planning inspector ruled it could go ahead, despite widespread opposition.
But last year, the company sought an environmental permit variation from the Environment Agency for the recycling site on the old Wealden
Brickworks off Langhurstwood Road.
Members of the campaign group NoIncinerator4Horsham - who fear the incinerator
will produce pollutants - then called on the Environment Agency to pause public consultation on the permit variation because they said not enough information was available to the public.
And the Environment Agency announced this week that it is now launching another consultation.
It said in a statement: “After reviewing more than 130 comments and scrutinising evidence, the Environment Agency is 'minded to’ issue a permit variation to add mechanical sorting and an energy recovery facility” to the Langhurstwood site.
But it said it will make no final decisions until after a further public consultation.
Agency area environment manager Michael Turner said: “The Environment Agency is satisfied that the appropriate measures are in place to operate the energy recovery facility without causing harm to the environment or human health.
“Before we make a final decision, we would like to invite members of the public to read our draft decision document and permit variation and let us know of any further information relating to any potential impact on the environment or public health you would like us to consider.”
The agency says that two online documents can be commented on: the draft decision document and the draft permit variation.
People have until June 26 to make comments.
The documents are available at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/ rh12-4qd-britaniacrest-recycling-limited-draft-dec
The campaign group says that it is taking ‘expert advice’ on the latest situation.