The
Environment Agency has issued a permit to
operate a non-hazardous waste landfill site
at Cwmrhydyceirw Quarry near Morriston,
Swansea.
The permit issued to
the operator SI Green UK Ltd has a number
of stringent conditions to protect the local
environment.
An accompanying decision
document explains how the permit application
has been determined and why the specific
conditions in the permit have been imposed.
It is a record of the decision-making process
and shows how all relevant factors and public
concerns have been taken into account.
Graham Hillier, Environment
Agency Wales' Area Manager for South West
Wales said:
“ We have spent a great
deal of time evaluating this application
and have produced a permit designed to make
sure there is adequate protection of the
local environment. It gives us the powers
to regulate the operations on site so that
improvements can be made to the current
state of the waste deposited in the quarry.
The controls in the
permit are wide-ranging and start from the
date of issue through initial construction
and continue throughout the operational
phase. When the site ceases to accept waste
the stringent controls will still be in
operation.”
Copies of the permit
and the decision document are on the public
register situated at our offices at Maes
Newydd, Llandarcy, Neath Port Talbot, SA10
6JQ. You can inspect the public register
between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 pm
Monday to Friday (except on Bank Holidays).
If you would like to visit our offices to
view the public register please phone 01792
325526 to make arrangements.
Environment Agency announces
future changes for Cuckmere estuary
Environment Agency announces its decision
to restore the Cuckmere estuary to a tidal
floodplain, allowing this popular landmark
to adapt to the impacts of climate change
and providing great benefits to both visitors
and wildlife
The Environment Agency
is today (10 December 2008) announcing its
decision to restore the Cuckmere estuary
to a tidal floodplain, allowing this popular
landmark to adapt to the impacts of climate
change and providing great benefits to both
visitors and wildlife.
Climate change, sea
level rise and past interference by man
have put the Cuckmere estuary under increasing
pressure. Current flood defences are not
high enough to cope with sea level rise,
the river has not flowed through the winding
meanders since the 1840’s and each year
the Environment Agency spends up to £50,000
removing shingle from the mouth of the river.
Andrew Pearce, Environment
Agency Area Manager for Kent and East Sussex,
said: “We believe there is a better way
to manage this special place. Climate change
is presenting us with many challenges and
the way we manage flood risk here has to
change. Restoring the Cuckmere estuary to
a tidal floodplain will allow the area to
adapt to climate change and will bring with
it great opportunities and benefits for
visitors and wildlife.”
Last year the Environment
Agency offered people the opportunity to
give their views on the recommendation to
stop maintaining the existing defences.
The Environment Agency has now finalised
its flood risk management strategy for the
Cuckmere estuary and all those who own or
occupy land in the area have now been informed
of the decision to withdraw maintenance
after a two year notice period.
Andrew Pearce continued:
“This is a beautiful landmark and an undeveloped
area and it wouldn’t be right to continually
build bigger defences here. Our decision
will not increase flood risk for any properties
in the Cuckmere River catchment. But it
will save valuable flood risk management
money which can then be directed to where
it is most needed to protect people and
properties.”
Each year the Environment
Agency spends up to £50,000 of flood
risk management money removing shingle from
the river mouth to enable the river to flow
out to the sea and reduce the risk of flooding
upstream at Alfriston and Westdean. Following
the 2 year notice period, the Environment
Agency will continue to do this work for
as long as it is required. When the tidal
floodplain is restored, the river will be
able to keep itself clear. This could take
up to 15 years.
Andrew Pearce added:
“We do know there will be a lot of concern
for the future of this popular landmark
and we are not just walking away, We believe
a more natural estuary will still provide
plenty of opportunity for people to continue
to enjoy this wonderful area and as a member
of the Cuckmere Estuary Partnership we will
work with local residents and businesses
to identify how to manage the changes to
the estuary in the future so that the public
can continue to enjoy this area and wildlife
can thrive.”
In its draft flood risk
management strategy, the Environment Agency
compared several options for managing flood
risk on the Cuckmere estuary. More than
100 people responded to the draft and over
250 people attended exhibition sessions.
Over half of those who responded to the
consultation between September and December
2007 believed that some kind of management
change needs to happen.
More information on
what this means for the Cuckmere estuary
can be found at (www.environment-agency.gov.uk),
by calling 08708 506 506 or by emailing:
sokes@environment-agency.gov.uk
Three Illegal anglers
caught at Cobbleacre Fishery
Angling at Cobbleacre Fishery in Hevingham,
Norfolk, without being correctly licensed,
has cost three anglers a total of £445.
Angling at Cobbleacre
Fishery in Hevingham, Norfolk, without being
correctly licensed, has cost three anglers
a total of £445.
Karl Wright of Morse
Road, Norwich, James Crick of Newark Close,
Ipswich and Dean Banford of Ainsworth Road,
Holt were all convicted of fishing with
unlicensed rods on 19 July, at a hearing
before Norwich Magistrates on 4 December.
Wright was fined
£120, Crick £100 and Banford
£75. In addition, all three had to
pay a further £50 each towards the
prosecution costs.
If you are a freshwater angler, ensure you
avoid these convictions and fines by checking
your licence is valid before fishing. Licences
can be purchased from any Post Office, by
direct debit by calling 08708 506 506, though
telesales on 0844 800 5386, or online at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence.
