Appeal in process for planning application

17 March 2010

Augean plc ("Augean" or "the Group")

Appeal process begun for low level waste planning application

Augean, one of the UK's leading hazardous waste businesses announces today that it has begun the appeal process against the refusal yesterday by Northamptonshire's Development Control Committee of its planning application for Low Level Waste (LLW) disposal.

The decision by Northamptonshire County Council follows a planning application in relation to operations at its East Northants Resource Management Facility (ENRMF), to allow the site to dispose of LLW. These would principally be construction waste, mainly soils and rubble, with small amounts of radioactivity, arising from the demolition of ancillary buildings, such as offices and infrastructure, at decommissioning power stations, as well as other sources, such as hospitals and science and research facilities.

The scheme was refused in spite of a strong recommendation for approval by the professional planning officers of the County Council and the support of the Environment Agency who have issued a clear statement of intent to authorise the disposals. Due to the contentious nature of the waste and the current political climate the potential for refusal of the application was anticipated and Augean was already prepared to take the application to the next stage of the process.

Augean believes that the refusal was not based on sound scientific or policy grounds and will update the market on the appeal process.

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