In proposing that the licence should be granted, the Agency took into account all representations made during the first part of the consultation and took specialist advice. The Agency says it is satisfied that a licence can be issued which will prevent pollution of the environment or harm to public health.
No final decision on the licence will be made until the outcome of Onyx's request to the planning authority to vary the order in which different parts of the site will be infilled is known.
Dr David Hudson, environment planning manager for the Agency's Upper Trent Area, said: 'In response to public concern, we have gone out of our way to involve people in the decision. We will not grant the licence unless we are satisfied that the site will not cause pollution or harm the health of local people. If the licence is granted, we will inspect the site regularly to ensure that it is properly controlled and monitored on a long term basis.'
The Agency has asked the advice of the Coal Authority and the British Geological Survey and neither expressed the opinion that the site was unsuitable for the proposed use.
As a precaution, the Agency intends to write a condition into the licence that will require Onyx to undertake further work to prove ground stability. In addition, the Agency will produce a “worst case scenario”, in consultation with an independent consultant. Onyx will be required to prove that such an event, however unlikely, will not lead to any leakage of leachate or gas that would cause pollution or harm human health. Until this work has been accepted by the Agency, Onyx will not be permitted to operate the landfill.
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