Twyford Recycling near A27 handed environmental permit suspension after fire and pollution hazards discovered
A recycling company’s environmental permit has been suspended
Serious fire hazards and pollution identified at a recycling plant has resulted in an immediate suspension.
Tyre recycling company, Twyford Recycling Limited, has been served a notice to suspend its environmental permit following a visit from an Environmental Agency officer on Thursday, June 18.
The Portsmouth company, which runs the site in Appledram Business Park, Chichester, will not be allowed to bring waste of any description on to the site until the issues are resolved.
During the inspection, several fire safety issues and pollution were discovered, with waste tyres being stored outside of correctly constructed bays limiting the ability to tackle and extinguish a fire. It was also noted that inadequate fire water was accessible on site.
Due to the close proximity of the A27, if a fire did start at the site smoke emissions would cause danger to human health and the environment. There is also the risk that water run-off from firefighting would pollute the River Lavant nearby.
Michael Turner, area environment manager at the Environment Agency, said: "When we find a waste site not playing by the rules, we step in and take swift action to shut it down. That's the case with Twyford Recycling where we've suspended its permit.
"We have firmly told the operator no more waste is allowed and to get rid of the risk of pollution before it blights the community and the environment."
The site has been told to remove the risk of pollution, by removing all loose, shredded and baled tyres from the site. This action must be completed by 6pm on Thursday, July 2.
The visit was also part of a waste enforcement operation which also saw the Environment Agency conduct a roadside stop of vehicles coming in and out of the site. Roadside stops are one way the Environment Agency gathers intelligence about waste movements and possible waste crime.
Twyford Recycling Limited has two months to appeal the decision through the Planning Inspectorate, although if there is an appeal, the requirements of the notice still need to be carried out.