You need to nominate a ‘site representative’ at each site named in the management plan. The site representative completes the site appendix.

You need to nominate a ‘primary contact’ who:

• completes the licence application form and management plan
• provides a completed site appendix for each site
• oversees and manages the licence
• allocates the quota to each site (that is the maximum number of birds allowed to be shot under the licence)
• submits a report of action taken for each site and a summary report at the end of the licence period

You’ll be sent a report form and summary report form with your licence document.

The primary contact and the site representatives are:

• the licensees
• all responsible for meeting the terms and conditions of the licence

The primary contact doesn’t have to be one of the site representatives.

Licences are free. Allow up to 30 working days for a licensing decision to be made.

Advice

The Angling Trust’s Fishery Management Advisers provide advice and assistance with this licence.

The Environment Agency consult the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. In some cases they also consult on draft decisions for environmental permits. The arrangements are explained in their Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

• the Environment Agency’s proposed decision and the reasons and considerations on which they’ve based this
• additional relevant information available since the application was advertised
• any information or guidance provided by the Secretary of State relevant to the application

In August 2016 the EU LIFE programme awarded Natural England a multi-million pound grant over 5 years to support the Marches Mosses BogLIFE project. The aim is to restore the Fenn’s, Whixall, Bettisfield, Wem and Cadney Mosses Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The partnership includes Natural Resources Wales and the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The project’s also supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The project plans to create a healthier and larger habitat for Marches Mosses by storing rainfall on the existing bog where appropriate by:

• blocking ditches
• creating small bunds (low banks) to prevent runoff
• buying and restoring more peatland
• removing selected areas of scrub, trees and conifer plantations

To reduce the effects of air pollution on the bog the project will:

• test ways of managing its effects on bog vegetation, such as controlling dense areas of purple moor grass using different methods
• engage with local land managers and others to raise awareness of how air pollution affects the bog and explore ways to reduce its impact

The project will also:

• improve the bog’s water quality
• clean up a former scrap-yard
• monitor the recovery of the bog
• share knowledge gained with managers of similar habitats in the UK and Europe
• establish a centre of excellence for volunteering and training
• raise awareness of the bog by engaging with a wide range of audiences such as local schools

Background

Lowland raised bogs are one of the rarest wildlife habitats in the world. This habitat is very important for biodiversity and for its critical role in carbon storage. The aim is to reduce past damage from:

• plantation forestry
• scrub invasion
• peat extraction
• land drainage for agriculture and other uses
• invasive species
• air pollution

Contact

Email: robert.duff@naturalengland.org.uk

On 8 May 2015 the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) submitted an application to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for a marine licence to construct a new jetty head and approach structure at Thanckes Oil Fuel Depot (OFD). The application also included decommissioning of the existing jetty structure and capital dredging of a new berth and approach channel. The original application proposed disposal of dredged material at Rame Head South designated disposal site.

During the determination period a new disposal site in the Plymouth Sound area was characterised. The site, Plymouth Deep (PL035), was fully assessed for the disposal of capital and maintenance material. PL035 was selected as the disposal site for this application by the MMO as best site in terms of the practical, economic and environmental costs.

The MMO has carried out an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) under the Marine Works (EIA) Regulations 2007 (as amended). The MMO has now determined the application and a summary of all information relating to the determination can be found in the attached EIA Consent Decision. A copy of the licence and supporting assessments has also been attached for reference.

Further Information:

All marine licence applications are available from the marine licensing public register.

Contact information:

Marine Licensing Team

Telephone: 0300 123 1032

Email: marine.consents@marinemanagement.org.uk

A County Durham demolition company has been ordered to pay £6,180.46 after pleading guilty to breaking environmental laws.

PTS Demolition and Dismantling Ltd, which operates out of Hackworth Industrial Estate, Shildon, Bishop Auckland, was prosecuted for operating a waste transfer station without a permit at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on 5 July 2017. The court ruled it was a deliberate offence and ordered the firm to pay a fine of £3,500 and £2,680.46 costs.

The charges brought by the Environment Agency relate to the company’s attempts to reduce costs by starting its own waste transfer station.

An Environment Officer and a colleague from Durham County Council visited the site in July 2014 to provide advice on how to apply for an environmental permit and planning permission to do this.

In 2015, Environment Officers visited a further five times to give additional advice and guidance. At the same time they recorded evidence that the company was operating a waste transfer station illegally, including storing 100 tonnes of crushed aggregate, 15 skips full of mixed waste and a store of fire extinguishers.

In February 2016, PTS Demolition submitted a permit application, which was returned for failing to include the application fee. Following a further visit by Environment Officers to give more advice, the company submitted another application. This was also returned for failing to include a Fire Prevention Plan (FPP). Again, officers provided advice on how to complete an FPP.

Officers returned to the site on 11 August 2016. The levels of waste had reduced but some skips of mixed waste remained, along with a number of wooden railway sleepers and a skip containing glass.

Company given ‘every possible opportunity’ to comply

Jamie Fletcher, Environment Agency Area Environment Manager, said:

The regulations exist to protect the environment, legitimate business and local communities from the risk of harm. Every business dealing in waste, whether they produce, carry, sort, recycle, ship or dispose of it, has a responsibility to fully understand and comply with environmental laws.

We gave PTS Demolition every possible opportunity and extensive support to comply. However, not only did they store waste illegally, the company repeatedly ignored advice and failed to shut down operations.

Those that repeatedly fail to comply with regulations pose a heightened risk to the environment and undermine legitimate business. In such circumstances we will have no hesitation prosecuting to ensure that waste crime doesn’t pay.