The Environment
Agency has decided to issue an Environmental
Permit on Friday 15 January 2010 which will
enable JH& S Building to operate the
Milton Coal Yard site as a recycling centre.
Following discussions
with residents at a drop in session at Milton
last Monday (11 January 2010), and after
further careful review, the Environment
Agency has decided to issue an Environmental
Permit on Friday 15 January 2010 which will
enable JH& S Building to operate the
Milton Coal Yard site as a recycling centre.
We listened very carefully
to concerns raised by people who attended
the drop in session and we understand what
they are telling us. We then reviewed the
Permit application and took these views
into account.
However, as we highlighted
at the drop-in session, we have only a limited
number of grounds on which we can refuse
to grant a Permit.
When we have issued
the Permit, we will liaise with the operators
to discuss the detail of how they will operate
the site. Once the site is operational,
our officers will monitor it regularly to
make sure they are complying with the conditions
in their permit.
Team Leader, Environment
Management, Chris Withnell, says: “We only
issue an Environmental Permit if we are
sure the site can operate without causing
harm to the environment or human health.
Once the site is operational we will regulate
it firmly and fairly to ensure that it does
operate properly. However, if residents
are concerned about incidents that they
believe involve this site, they should call
our free 24hr Incident Hotline on 0800 80
70 60.”
+ More
We’re watching closely,
but thaw flooding is unlikely says Environment
Agency
Properties in the South are unlikely to
be flooded in a forthcoming thaw.
That’s the conclusion
of flood forecasting experts at the Environment
Agency who have been working closely with
monitoring teams across the region, as well
as taking guidance from the national Flood
Forecasting Centre in London.
River level analysis
and measurements of snow depth have been
carried out by Environment Agency teams
across Kent, Sussex and Hampshire in the
last week. While there’s no sense of complacency,
the data suggests a low risk of flooding
from snow melt even in more sensitive areas.
Richard O’Callaghan,
flood forecasting team leader explained.
“It’s important that people living in our
region understand that we are prepared for
flooding at any time of the year. We are
keeping a close eye on the current situation,
particularly in sensitive river catchments,
but we can reassure people that the thaw
is unlikely to lead to flooding.”
Average snow depths
across the South are currently between 10
and 20 cm. Upon melting this will become
around one to two centimetres of water.
And while some sensitive river catchments
are saturated, experts say flooding will
only occur, if higher temperatures come
quickly with further heavy rain. The forecast
for cold and dry weather in the next few
days suggests this is unlikely.
As well as monitoring
flood risk, Environment Agency staff have
been out across the region in the snow checking
for blockages in water courses and removing
debris, as well as ensuring pumping stations,
storm drains and other assets are working
as they should.
“Our teams have been
working tirelessly, often in challenging
conditions, to protect communities and minimise
environmental risks during the cold snap,”
added Toby Willison Environment Agency regional
director for the South. “Their hard work
means we are fully prepared for whatever
the weather throws at us in the next fortnight.
We shall now work with business partners
to ensure they are clear on any potential
environmental impacts from changing weather
conditions.”
