The Environment Agency have OBJECTED to the ‘enabling works’ Application No. 3376/22 to cap the contaminated landfill at Billet Road site. In fact, they have objected 3 times!
Bellway said that safety comes first during meetings. Redbridge, with a duty of care to residents, must decide whether the development is an acceptable use of the land.
The Environment Agency protects and improves the environment. They operate at the place where environmental change has its greatest impact on people’s lives.
The Environment Agency‘s Objections
Here are a few of the points raised – copies of their full Objections can be seen below.
Depositing soil and/or capping on top of historic landfill disturbs the waste. It may alter the pollution risk; either by applying pressure leading to the expulsion of leachate or blocking routes for gas emissions meaning this also squeezes out elsewhere. Without regulatory control, placing material on top of an historic landfill may result in pollution impacts from the old waste.
We maintain that the importation and permanent deposit of material identified by this application falls under the waste regulatory regime, contrary to the developers claims. Resolving this issue could result in substantial changes to the design or the suitability of this site at the intensity proposed. This could bring into question the deliverability of the scheme, so we believe it is a material consideration for the planning application.
The submitted documents continue to refer to the landfill and the waste within as “made ground”. This is the incorrect term for this material and will impact the regime under which it is considered. Recognising the in-situ material as waste will have implications for the construction methodologies, disturbance of the waste (e.g., piling, surcharging), treatment, storage, and disposal, therefore this must be reviewed.
An Environmental Permit is required to ensure that all waste and material management will be controlled and managed under an environment permit
The Environment Agency ask for a copy of the decision notice and that should the London Borough of Redbridge approve the application contrary to their objection, they want to know why and to be given the opportunity to make further representations.
Bellway’s website says ‘Bellway will work closely with the Council, Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) throughout the process to ensure safety and maximise the benefits for the environment’
The Environment Agency have said that their objections should be available for public viewing on Redbridge’s Planning Portal, because they have not, we have added them here.