Press release

Fortnum Carlisle Ltd applies for environmental permit for Carlisle waste incinerator

Public consultation period is launched

The Environment Agency is holding a public consultation on an application for an environmental permit to operate a waste incinerator near Kingmoor Park Industrial Estate, Carlisle.

Fortum Carlisle Ltd has applied for permission to burn up to 274,000 tonnes a year of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to produce electricity and heat, which will be used by local businesses as well as being fed into the local grid.

The Environment Agency is now seeking views on the company’s application from the local community and interested groups. Information received during the consultation will be used to help determine the application as part of a detailed and rigorous assessment of the proposed operation.

A permit will only be issued if the operator demonstrates that it meets all legal requirements of the Environment Permitting Regulations and that the facility will be operated in a way that provides a high level of protection of the environment and human health.

John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

Our officers have the specialist knowledge and skills that are required to regulate waste facilities and minimise the impact of these sites on people and the environment. We do not permit activities that pose an unacceptable risk.

We will now assess the proposals to ensure they meet our strict requirements and we welcome comments from the public and interested groups on local environmental factors that people feel are important.

The consultation runs from July 24 until October 19. Application documents are available to view online at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/ca6-4se-fortum-carlisle-limited. Comments can be made online or they can be emailed to us at pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk. If you are unable to comment online or by email, please contact the Environment Agency’s National Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506 506.

Published 24 July 2020