Decision Document
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Environment Agency permitting decisions Variation We have decided to issue the variation for Oakstone Farm Poultry Unit operated by Thriveunique Limited. The variation number is EPR/WP3037MK/V003 We consider in reaching that decision we have taken into account all relevant considerations and legal requirements and that the permit will ensure that the appropriate level of environmental protection is provided. Purpose of this document This decision document: explains how the application has been determined provides a record of the decision-making process shows how all relevant factors have been taken into account justifies the specific conditions in the permit other than those in our generic permit template. Unless the decision document specifies otherwise we have accepted the applicant’s proposals. Structure of this document Description of the changes introduced by the variation Key issues Annex 1 the decision checklist Annex 2 the consultation and web publicising responses EPR/WP3037MK/V003 Issued 06/02/2017 Page 1 of 15 Description of the changes introduced by the Variation This is a Substantial Variation. The variation authorises the following change: To increase the permitted number of animal places at Oakstone Farm Poultry Unit to 260,000 broiler places from 178,500 places. This has resulted in the construction of two extra poultry sheds – numbered 5 and 6. There are now six poultry sheds on site. There has been no extension to the installation boundary as a result of this variation. The variation also adds and additional biomass boiler to the site, bringing the number of boilers to two. Changes to the original permit as a result of consolidation As part of this variation and consolidation, several changes have been made to the permit, including in particular the following: Amendment of table S1.1 activities Amendment of table S1.2 operating techniques Amendment of table S3.1 point source emissions to air Amendment of table S3.2 point source emissions to water (other than sewer) Amendment of site plan in Schedule 7 Removal of table S3.3 ‘point source emissions to land’, and the information within this former table consolidated with table S3.2 ‘point source emissions to water (other than sewer) and land’ EPR/WP3037MK/V003 Issued 06/02/2017 Page 2 of 15 Key issues of the decision Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 were made on the 20 February and came into force on 27 February 2013. These Regulations transpose the requirements of the IED. This permit implements the requirements of the European Union Directive on Industrial Emissions. Groundwater and soil monitoring As a result of the requirements of the Industrial Emissions Directive, all permits are now required to contain a condition relating to protection of soil, groundwater and groundwater monitoring. However, the Environment Agency’s H5 Guidance states that it is only necessary for the operator to take samples of soil or groundwater and measure levels of contamination where there is evidence that there is, or could be existing contamination and: The environmental risk assessment has identified that the same contaminants are a particular hazard; or The environmental risk assessment has identified that the same contaminants are a hazard and the risk assessment has identified a possible pathway to land or groundwater. H5 Guidance further states that it is not essential for the Operator to take samples of soil or groundwater and measure levels of contamination where: The environmental risk assessment identifies no hazards to land or groundwater; or Where the environmental risk assessment identifies only limited hazards to land and groundwater and there is no reason to believe that there could be historic contamination by those substances that present the hazard; or Where the environmental risk assessment identifies hazards to land and groundwater but there is evidence that there is no historic contamination by those substances that pose the hazard. The site condition report (SCR) for Oakstone Farm (received 06/06/2006) demonstrates that there are no hazards or likely pathway to land or groundwater and no historic contamination on site that may present a hazard from the same contaminants. Therefore, on the basis of the risk assessment presented in the SCR, we accept that they have not provided base line reference data for the soil and groundwater at the site at this stage. EPR/WP3037MK/V003 Issued 06/02/2017 Page 3 of 15 Biomass boilers The applicant is varying their permit to include 2 biomass boiler(s) with a net rated thermal input of 0.383 MW. The Environment Agency has assessed the pollution risks and has concluded that air emissions from small biomass boilers are not likely to pose a significant risk to the environment or human health providing certain conditions are met. Therefore a quantitative assessment of air emissions will not be required for poultry sites where: • the fuel will be derived from virgin timber, miscanthus or straw, and; • the biomass boiler appliance and installation meets the technical criteria to be eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive, and; • the aggregate boiler net rated thermal input is: A. less than 0.5MWth, or; B. less than 1MWth where the stack height is greater than 1 metre above the roof level of adjacent buildings (where there are no adjacent buildings, the stack height must be a minimum of 3 metres above ground), and there are: . no Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, Ramsar sites or Sites of Special Scientific Interest within 500 metres of the emission point(s); . no National Nature Reserves, Local Nature Reserves, ancient woodlands or local wildlife sites within 100 metres of the emission point(s), or; C. less than 2MWth where, in addition to the above criteria for less than 1MWth boilers, there are: . no sensitive receptors within 150 metres of the emission point(s). This is In line with the Environment Agency’s May 2013 document “Biomass boilers on EPR Intensive Farms”, an assessment has been undertaken to consider the proposed addition of the biomass boilers. The Environment Agency’s risk assessment has shown that the biomass boilers meet the requirements of criteria A above, and are therefore considered not likely to pose a significant risk to the environment or human health and no further assessment is required. Dust and bioaerosols There are measures included within the permit (the ‘Fugitive Emissions’ conditions) to provide a level of protection. The use of Best Available Techniques and good practice will ensure minimisation of emissions. Furthermore, condition 3.2.1 ‘Emissions of substances not controlled by an emission limit’ is included in the permit. This is used in conjunction with condition 3.2.2 which states that in the event of fugitive emissions causing EPR/WP3037MK/V003 Issued 06/02/2017 Page 4 of 15 pollution following commissioning of the installation, the Operator is required to undertake a review of site activities, provide an emissions management plan and to undertake any mitigation recommended as part of that report, once agreed in writing with the Environment Agency. The closest residential receptor is located within the installation boundary and is occupied by the residents of Oakstone Farm Poultry Unit. Good management of the installation, keeping areas clean from build-up of dust, other measures in place to reduce dust and risk of spillages, such as litter and feed management/delivery procedures all reduce the potential for emissions impacting the nearest receptor. The applicant has also submitted a Dust Management Plan (reference ‘Bio Aerosol Emissions at Oakstone Farm Poultry Unit’), written in accordance with Environment Agency’s EPR 6.09 How to Comply with your Environmental Permit for Intensive Farming Appendix 11 guidance. We consider this acceptable as a bioaerosol risk assessment and that the measures outlined in the plan will minimise the potential for dust and bioaerosol emissions from the installation. Odour There are several sensitive receptors within 400 metres of the installation (excluding the farmers own residential property). Therefore an Odour Management Plan (OMP) is required under our guidance. The operator has provided an odour management plan as part of the application supporting documentation. Operations with the most potential to cause odour nuisance have been assessed as those involving manufacture and selection of feed, feed delivery and storage, ventilation system, litter management, carcass disposal, house clean out, used litter and dirty water management. The odour management plan covers control measures for each of these potential odour hazards. The residences occupied by people associated with the farm are not considered as a sensitive receptors, for odour, as it is unlikely that odour will be perceived as a nuisance. There are other properties and businesses within 400m – There are no history of odour complaints from this site. There is potential for odour from the installation, beyond the installation boundary. However, the risk of odour beyond the installation boundary is considered unlikely to cause a nuisance. Noise EPR/WP3037MK/V003 Issued 06/02/2017 Page 5 of 15 There are sensitive receptors within 400 metres of the installation boundary as stated above in the odour section. The operator has provided a noise management plan (NMP) as part of the application supporting documentation. Operations with the most potential to cause noise nuisance have been assessed as those involving delivery vehicles travelling to and from the farm, vehicles on site, feed transfer from lorries to bins, testing of the alarm system and standby generators, operation of ventilation fans, noise from birds on site, staff and contractors, and repairs. The noise management plan covers control measures for each of these potential noise hazards. As for odour, the residences occupied by people associated with the farm are not considered as a sensitive receptors as it is unlikely that noise will be perceived as a nuisance.