Local views sought on environmental permit for construction phase of proposed Hinkley Point C power station
The Environment Agency is asking for feedback from local communities around Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea, in Somerset, on an application for an environmental permit to discharge trade effluent generated during construction of the proposed nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.
The Agency received the application for an environmental permit from NNB Generation Company Limited, a subsidiary of EDF Energy.
The company has already sent two environmental permit applications to the Agency relating to operation of a nuclear power station on the North Somerset coast at Hinkley Point.
The most recent permit application describes the proposed discharge of trade effluent generated during construction of the proposed power station, such as silty run-off water and concrete batching plant washings into inland watercourses and the Severn Estuary. It will also highlight how the applicant intends to use best practice to minimise the impact of these discharges on the environment. There will be the normal single round of consultation on this application.
This information is held in the public register at the following location:
Environment Agency
Public Register
Rivers House
East Quay
Bridgwater
TA6 4YS
People can inspect the Environment Agency register free of charge during normal office hours (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday). Please ring in advance to arrange an appointment by calling the National Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506 506. You may obtain a copy of documents on the register. A charge may be made to cover the costs of copying.
‘The Environment Agency must decide whether to grant or refuse the application. If it grants the application, it must decide what conditions should be included in the permit. We would like people to respond so we can consider the views of local people before we make our decision,’ said Brian Payne for the Environment Agency.
Any comments should be made in writing by 8 November, 2011 to:
PSC - WQ Team
Quadrant 2
99 Parkway Avenue
Sheffield
S9 4WF
Or by email to: psc-waterquality@environment-agency.gov.uk quoting the application number.
Guidance on decision-making under the Regulations can be found at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/permitting/32320.aspx.
This guidance explains what factors are relevant to our determination.
Please note that all representations we receive must normally be placed on the public register. If you do not want either your identity or your full representation to appear on the public register, you should make a request to this effect.
Any media queries should be directed to the Environment Agency press office on 01392 861302.
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