Gary Wallace, area environment manager for EA, said it was important the community had the opportunity to review the revised environmental safety case, “which has changed significantly since the original public consultation”.<\/p>\n
“We welcome people’s comments on the new information received and relevant environmental factors people feel are important,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Our technical assessment is ongoing and once we have reviewed the documents and information from the consultation we will make a draft decision on the application.”<\/p>\n
The ESC states the waste will pose “a relatively low risk to people and the environment”.<\/p>\n
It adds that when the landfills are full and site restoration has been completed, the design of the facility would minimise contact between infiltrating water and the waste.<\/p>\n
However, it adds “it is recognised that over long timescales and the natural evolution of the estuary, small quantities of radioactivity may migrate to the environment”.<\/p>\n
It argues they will “remain below the relevant dose and risk guidance levels that have been defined for England and Wales by the Environment Agency”.<\/p>\n
Augean says it will undertake environmental monitoring of the site and take samples regularly in an agreed programme with published results.<\/p>\n