On Wednesday 18th October, I urgently contacted the Environmental Agency about a foul smell and the colour of the smoke leaving the incinerator. This is what happens when the Lib Dems let the incinerator get away with anything and have no scrutiny. They should not be allowed to expand their capacity. Here is the link to my petition to stop the Lib Dem backed expansion of the incinerator, I urge you to sign this: Sign the petition and say "NO" to incinerating more waste in Beddington | Elliot Colburn
I have since received the following response from the Environment Agency:
Thank you for your email of 18 October 2023 on behalf of your constituent.
I can assure you that once we became aware of these issues on 17 October 2023, we contacted Viridor to carry out an immediate investigation. In addition, and to answer one of your constituents’ other points, the permit variation application from Viridor to increase its current annual tonnage of waste is still being determined and our decision on whether to grant the application has not yet been made.
I thought it would also be helpful to outline the timeline of events over the past 24 hours to explain what happens next and to help inform any other of your constituents who may contact you following this incident.
On the morning of 17 October 2023, we received multiple reports from members of the local community that Viridor’s Energy from Waste plant in Beddington, London Borough of Sutton appeared to be emitting dark coloured smoke from its chimney stack. The operator confirmed that it had experienced a significant power outage on 16 October 2023 resulting in the site not being able to operate as normal.
One of our officers attended the site on the afternoon of 17 October and confirmed that smoke was still being emitted. The power outage appears to have been caused by an off-site cable break, the repair of which is being expedited. When the plant restarts the process of raising steam will result in some steam being vented, which may be visible.
We are carrying out an investigation into the cause of the smoke emissions and have notified our partners at the London Borough of Sutton and UKHSA. Once our investigation is completed and dependent on the severity of the environmental impact this may result in enforcement action. If anyone is experiencing ongoing health concerns, they should contact their local health professional for advice in the first instance.
If any members of the local community or your constituents have any further concerns, please encourage them to call our Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
If you have any further questions about this site or our wider work in your constituency, please let me know.
