Second consultation begins on Keighley waste incinerator permit application

The Environment Agency has launched a second period of consultation on Endless Energy’s application for a permit to build and operate a waste incinerator at a site on Aire Valley Road, Keighley.

Local residents and interested groups are invited to submit any new relevant information on the draft decision for Endless Energy’s proposals for a waste incinerator in Keighley before a final decision is made on whether the permit is issued.

The Environment Agency is minded to issue the permit following a rigorous environmental assessment of the proposed activities, taking into account all of the comments made in the first consultation that closed on 13 December 2018.

The draft permit sets out conditions needed to protect air quality, groundwater and surface water to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of wastes. It will also impose conditions to minimise the risk of accidents, noise and odour and also maximise energy efficiency. If the permit is issued, the Environment Agency would robustly enforce these strict conditions to ensure that Endless Energy’s operations do not cause harm to people or the environment.

Carly Chambers, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

Following our assessment of the application, we believe that the proposal meets the legal requirements of the Environment Permitting Regulations and that it will be designed, constructed and operated in a way that will not harm human health or the environment. Unless any new information comes to light which significantly changes our assessment we will be legally obliged to issue the permit.

Our regulatory controls for the incineration of waste are in place to protect people and the environment. We do not permit activities that pose an unacceptable risk.

This further stage of consultation gives the public and interested groups an opportunity to see our decision making process, have their say on the draft environmental permit and bring to light any new information that they believe may require us to modify or change our final decision.

Responses to the consultation can be made electronically or by post although we would encourage all who can to respond electronically. This will facilitate the consultation during the Covid-19 restrictions.

We have also extended the consultation period from 4 weeks to 6 weeks. The consultation period will start on 8 June 2020 and conclude on 21 July 2020.

To access the application documentation, visit the consultation website at: consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/bd21-4lw-endless-energy-limited-epr-zp3537at

People can comment on the proposals by responding directly on the website or emailing pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Envelopes containing postal responses must be clearly marked ‘Endless Energy Consultation’ and be sent to Environment Agency, Permitting and Support Centre, Land Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF.