Potters Crouch fire: recycling centre loses licence (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Potters Crouch fire: Wood Recycling Services Limited loses licence

12:40pm Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter

A recycling centre in Potters Crouch that burnt for more than two weeks in a huge fire last year has had its environmental permit revoked.

The Environmental Agency has issued a notice to Wood Recycling Services Limited in Appspond Lane stating that it is longer allowed to operate.

The wood chipping and waste composting facility caught alight in November and a team of firefighters spent more than two weeks tackling the blaze.

Large amounts of smoke forced several busy roads in the area to close causing traffic chaos.

A statement released by the Environmental Agency said: "We have been concerned about the excessive volumes of waste on site, and the associated environmental risk, since winter 2011.

"We have worked closely with Hertfordshire County Council, St Albans District Council, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and National Grid.

"We all agreed to take enforcement action, within each of our individual remits, to ensure Wood Recycling Services Limited complies with their environmental permits and planning permission.

"Despite our advice and guidance to them, WRSL have not taken adequate action and we escalated our enforcement."

In May the agency issued an enforcement reducing the amount of food waste the site could look after to ensure correct storage.

The law states that the agency has to give the company 20 working days meaning that the revocations will come into effect on March 22.

Owners of the recycling company will have to remove all wood and composting waste from the site.

The company still has the right to appeal against the decision.

Wood Recycling Services Limited refused to comment.

St Albans’ MP Anne Main said: "I am pleased that firm action has now been taken following the representations I have made to the Environment Agency and the numerous complaints and concerns expressed by local residents.

"I am sorry that it has taken such a huge environmental disaster to bring this site to closure, and I hope the local residents see a speedy clear up and that careful consideration is given to the future of the site."