The regulator served a revocation notice on the company in June 2025, but the operator appealed the decision through the Planning Inspectorate and a hearing was held in December 2025.
On Monday (2 March 2026), the Planning Inspectorate confirmed that it had dismissed the appeal.
The inspector said they were satisfied that revocation of the permit was “reasonable and necessary in the circumstances to protect the environment and human health”, including from actual pollution and ongoing risk of pollution.
In addition, the EA said it is investigating suspected offences committed since a suspension notice was issued to the operator in June 2024.
All activities to cease at waste site
The decision means the environmental permit for the site has now been cancelled and Mineral Processing must cease all activities previously allowed under the permit.
The company must also take the steps outlined in the revocation notice to remove waste from the site.
Failure to comply with the notice would constitute an offence.
As part of the notice, all waste from the regulated facility must be removed by either transferring it to an appropriately permitted facility, sending it to an exempt waste operation in accordance with the terms of that exemption, or through a combination of both approaches.
The deadline for completing these steps is 31 August 2029.
The operator also remains responsible for appropriately managing pollution from the site, including odour impacts.
‘Total disregard’ of environmental impact
Commenting on the decision, Carly Chambers, Area Environment Manager for the EA in Yorkshire, said: “Mineral Processing has shown a total disregard for the regulatory efforts of the Environment Agency and the impact on local residents and the environment.
“We welcome the decision of the Planning Inspectorate to dismiss the company’s appeal, meaning the permit is now revoked.
“We will continue to closely monitor activity at the site and expect the operator to comply with the steps set out in the revocation notice.”
