Waste Flashcards
On Fengate, tell me about the process of obtaining the environmental permit.
Understood client wanted a WTS on a recently purchase industrial site ASAP.
Worked with inhouse compliance specialists:
Determine Eligibility:Check if your activity is listed in the EA’s standard rules sets. EPR 2016 S1PB. Nature and scale.
Understand the Rules: Familiarize with specific conditions of the chosen standard rules set.
Pre-application Advice: Seek guidance from the EA if unsure about any aspect. Determine timeframes.
Application Submission: Complete the standard rules permit application form. detailed operational plan. Fire Prevention Plan big cost.
Assessment: EA verifies activity matches the chosen standard rules set and checks compliance ability.
Decision: EA grants the permit if criteria are met; no public consultation required.
Did you recommend any scheme changes to ensure planning policy compliance?
Existing industrial area with poor drainage.
I advised the client to prioritise addressing this issue now.
I worked with a Drainage consultant who drafted an indicative SW drainage scheme.
SuDS Integration: Adopted Sustainable Drainage Systems to manage surface water and improve water quality. Incorporated oil and silt separators
Retention Capacity: Enhanced retention basins to handle larger rainfall events. Designed drainage for future climate patterns.
Maintenance Plans: Emphasized regular upkeep of drainage infrastructure.
Authority Engagement: Consulted Lead Local Flood Authority for alignment with policies.
How did you advise the client to harmonise and co-ordinate the two processes?
Understood they wanted a WTS ASAP.
Must run both application processes concurrently, to efficiently meet both objectives rather than tangentially.
Did this by:
* Engage specialists for insights in both areas.
* Hold regular meetings between planning and permitting teams.
* Create a combined timeline for both processes.
* Use consistent environmental assessments for both, but limited due Standard Rules application.
* Begin with early discussions with both local planning and the Environment Agency.
* Integrate feedback from one process into the other.
* Keep the client updated on progress and challenges.
* Review all documents for consistency before submission.
On Farringdon Quarry, what advice did you provide on highways works?
The client wanted new waste management op at the existing quarry.
To mitigate risks and resource expenditure, advised on specifically targeting Highways as the most contentious issue. Rather than submitting in planning pre-app.
In collaboration with a Highways Consultant -drafted and submitted a Detailed Highways Pre-Application -for traffic impact assessment
The indicated proposal was acceptable.
Highways Act 1980
Why was a hydrological risk assessment needed?
Part of the Recovery permit application.
After Conceptual Site Model.
Required to understand the surroundings and ensure no adverse impact on groundwater.
Determine site design i.e. basal layer, which impacts financial feasibility.
Why did long decision times lead you to recommend an enhanced pre-application engagement?
Permitting consultant indicated years for determination.
Enhanced pre-app minimises risk. Address concerns now
proactive engagement aimed to streamline the process.
Risk that feedback is changeable.
Qualative or quantative determination.
Did you consider using a planning performance agreement? Why yes/no?
Honestly, no.
Considered for clear timelines and collaborative decision-making; assessed based on project complexity.
Would need advice from planning expert to inform my advice as I haven’t done one.
What were the landlord and tenant issues?
Collaborating with the Head of Estates,
* Lease extension,
* infill royalty rates,
* site access rights for grazing,
* land quality post operation,
* responsibilities for post operation land management.
What was the eventual outcome for the client and how did you contribute to it?
Approved my proposed permitting and planning strategy; it will be years till waste is tipped given the determination timescales.
Ensured the client understood the processes, risks, timeframes and costs of meeting their goals.
Facilitated through strategic advice and stakeholder engagement.
Difference between Disposal Permit and Recovery Permit
Disposal Permit:Allows the holder to dispose of waste in a specific manner and location, such as a landfill.
Recovery Permit: Allows the holder to use waste to replace other materials to gain a beneficial use i.e. land reclamation or construction.
How did your financial appraisal inform site design?
Waste operations on existing quarry.
Worked with experts to inform inputs.
In essence, the financial appraisal ensured the landfill design was economic while addressing geological, environmental, and regulatory challenges
Geological Constraints:
The financial appraisal identified the most cost-effective type of lining material. A hybrid of natural clay for the base and synthetic wall liner.
This influenced the design to ensure stability and prevent leachate leakage, optimizing containment structures.
On Beenham Industrial Estate, how did you ensure the scheme’s compliance with environmental regulations?
A new LTP.
Engage internal compliance team, and LTP designers.
- Reviewed site operations and potential environmental impacts against EPR 2016.
- Variation of Bespoke permit
- CIRIA Guidance - bunds - EA enforced
- TEDC for treated product
What site investigations were needed?
- Intrusive Site Investigations: Used windowless sampling and Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) to assess soil and groundwater conditions.
- Odour assessment
- Noise and Vibration Studies: Checked if the scheme met permissible levels.
- Ecological Surveys: Identified protected species or habitats.
- Highways
- Landscape
How did you use your knowledge of the EPR 2016 to aid your client?
Worked with the compliance team, to get the LTP safely operational ASAP, to manage environmental and health risks.
*Obtain the correct environmental permit - bespoke
* variation of the existing one.
* Gained TEDC from the water network operator
what information did you research to inform the financial appraisal for the LTP?
- Capital and operational costs of similar LTPs.
- Regulatory fees and potential penalties for non-compliance.
- Projected leachate volumes and treatment capacities to estimate cost savings
- Transport cost to use the site as a hub
