Consultation starts on a permit variation application in Horsham

The Environment Agency is holding a public consultation on an application from Britaniacrest Recycling Limited for an environmental permit variation. The variation is to add mechanical sorting and an energy recovery facility to their site off Langhurstwood Road near Horsham, West Sussex.

Wealden Works Recycling, Recovery and Renewable (3Rs) Energy facility would be capable of treating up to 230,000 tonnes of non-recyclable non-hazardous waste each year from homes and businesses across west Sussex and its neighbouring counties. Asbestos can also be accepted and stored but will not be used in the energy recovery facility. Electricity generated by the energy recovery facility will be exported to the local electrical grid.

The Environment Agency is now seeking comments on the company’s application from the local community and interested groups. Information received about relevant environmental considerations during the consultation will be used to help determine the application as part of a detailed and rigorous assessment of the proposed operation.

A permit variation will only be issued if the operator demonstrates that it meets all legal requirements of the Environment Permitting Regulations and that the facility will be operated in a way that provides a high level of protection of the environment and human health.

Michael Turner, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

When we make a permit decision, we use information on the potential environmental and human health impacts of the activity. Our officers have the specialist knowledge and skills that are required to assess this application.

Public consultation lets people and organisations take part in our decision making. As this consultation is for an environmental permit variation we are looking specifically for environmental or health considerations. You can comment on issues that could affect you or where you have particular knowledge. We take all relevant comments into account so we can make better decisions.

Should we issue a permit, our expert officers will regularly audit the operation, including analysing monitoring data. We have the right to conduct unannounced inspections.

The consultation runs from 13 May until 24 June 2021. Application documents are available to view. Comments can be made online or they can be emailed to us at pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk.