Environment Agency Wales has announced it is likely to grant Anglesey EcoParc Mon an environmental permit for the proposed anaerobic digestion waste treatment plant at Bodffordd.

The permit will make sure that the plant conforms to the highest possible environmental standards protecting the local community and environment.

It regulates the impact of the plant on the environment by setting stringent conditions on the plant’s emissions to air, land and water.

It does not consider issues such as traffic, visual impact or operating hours all of which were considered as part of the planning permission previously granted by Anglesey Council.

This ‘draft decision’ will now be followed by a period of further public consultation until 1 June 2011 before the Agency makes its final decision.

David Edwell, Environment Agency Wales’ area manager for North Wales says:

“Our draft decision means we can see no reason, at this stage, why Anglesey EcoParc Mon should not be given an environmental permit.

“We have carried out a rigorous scrutiny over the last few months including a full consultation with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board on any possible health issues.

“Detailed information from the company shows that plans are in place to operate this plant to the highest environmental standards.

“At this stage we do not anticipate that it will cause any significant risk to the environment.

“The next few weeks will be spent in one last round of public consultation to ensure that the final decision has taken everything into account.”

If the plant is built, Environment Agency Wales officers will enforce the strict emission limits and operating standards throughout its lifetime.

The Agency will hold a public information session at Ysgol Gymunedol Bodffordd School Hall, Bodffordd on Wednesday 18 May between 4pm and 8pm, where local people can find out more about the environmental permit process.

The full ‘draft decision’ document will be available, including information on how concerns raised during the consultation have been considered.

Source: Environment Agency
The draft decision can be seen here