Hazardous waste plant in Wolverhampton hoping for extension
A temporary waste treatment plant that handles tonnes of contaminated and hazardous soil products has asked to extend the terms of its operation, sparking a raft of protests.
Dunton Environmental Limited in Horseley Fields, Wolverhampton, was first granted planning permission to begin work in May 2015 – on condition all its operational activities ceased by September 18, 2020, and the land was cleared.
The council-owned site in Union Mill Street had been earmarked for residential development, which was why planners placed a time restriction on the use of the land when they approved permission initially.
However, the site – which the company leases from the council – has continued to operate as a waste treatment hub and is still receiving contaminated soil from other development sites. The firm has now applied to the council to continue using it until September 18 this year.
Six people have submitted objections to the new application citing a number of reasons – above all the fact that the hub receives substantial amounts of hazardous waste, and the soil arrives from significant distances away.
Further objections include concerns over air pollution, traffic congestion and the impact of noise on surrounding residential properties.
In a report to the council, senior planning officer Philip Walker said: “The time specified by the original planning permission for using the site as a waste treatment hub and remediation works has now lapsed.
Conservation area
“The company has said that the viability of meeting the final date to cease operations and remove plant material and equipment was affected by the hub’s closure for a 12-month period between 2017 and 2018. Therefore they say further temporary permission is necessary.
“Planning and listed building consent applications for the residential development were received by the council in November and their determination is pending.”
The land, formerly the site of the now demolished Edward Vaughan Stamping Works, is located less than a mile east of Wolverhampton city centre in an industrial area with some residential properties nearby.
Part of it falls within the Union Mill Conservation Area and is opposite the Bilston Canal Corridor Conservation Area.
Dunton Environmental operates the facility in partnership with the council under licence from the Environment Agency (EA).
Waste materials that would otherwise be disposed of at landfill are treated for reuse in restoration projects or other environmental improvement schemes.
Planners have been recommended to approve the application subject to a list of conditions including no more than 29,999 tonnes of hazardous waste per year to be received, no treating and composting of organic material, limited operating hours and air quality monitoring.
The council’s planning committee is due to make a decision on the proposal on January 12.
