HC Deb 24 May 2004 vol 421 cc1298-9W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from English Nature regarding(a) contaminated materials on Two Tree Island and (b) the management of the site. [171534]

Mr. Morley

No representation have been made by English Nature to the Secretary of State in respect of Two Tree Island landfill site. Since 2001, English Nature, as a statutory consultee on planning applications, has attended meetings about proposed developments to repair sea wall defences at two locations (NE corner & south) within the perimeter of Two Tree Island. English Nature has made formal representations to a planning application by Southend-On-Sea Borough Council in respect of the NE corner in 2004. No formal planning application has yet been received for the areas within Castle Point Borough Council.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions the Water Resources Act 1991 has been breached by release of contaminated material from Two Tree Island. [171535]

Mr. Morley

Since 1991, The Environment Agency and its predecessor body (The National Rivers Authority) have only had one report (12 October 1993 Councillor Peter Wexham, Borough of Southend-On-Sea) of a suspected breakout of landfill leachate in the area of Two Tree Island The investigating officer at the time of the incident indicates in the file note, that he was unable to substantiate the report, as he could not pin point the exact location of the suspected leachate breakout.

The Agency does not routinely monitor Two Tree Island, but would investigate reports and concerns from external bodies including members of the public, as it normally does.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis she relies for refusing to answer questions relating to the responsibilities of the Environment Agency in respect to(a) public safety and (b) contamination from reaching the closed Two Tree Island landfill site into the Thames estuary; and if she will make a statement. [174127]

Mr. Morley

The licence for the disposal of waste on Two Tree Island was held by Essex county council until 1994 when the licence was rescinded. The land was owned by, and continues to be owned by, Southend-on-Sea borough council, who is also responsible for monitoring emissions from the site.

As land-owner, the council has public safety responsibilities and must ensure that contamination does not leave the site.

The Environment Agency is not responsible for monitoring the site, but would wish to liaise with the land-owner if pollution was identified.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) short-term and (b) long-term solutions she plans to protect the (i) public and (ii) environment from leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site. [1742228]

Mr. Morley

As noted in the response I gave on 12 May 2004,Official Report, column 344W, Southend-on-Sea borough council and Castle Point district council are responsible for the Two Tree Island landfill site. I understand, however, that the local authorities are planning to implement the recommendations contained in the report prepared by Halcrow Fox.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the results of the Environment Agency investigations into leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site. [174229]

Mr. Morley

Detailed results of the Environment Agency's investigations into leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site are already publicly available on the Agency's public register that is held at Swift House, Frimley Business Park, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 5SQ.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the landfill site on Two Tree Island was closed. [174229]

Mr. Morley

The Two Tree Island waste disposal site was used for landfill operations, reportedly from the 1930s until the 1980s. The licence for the activity was rescinded in 1994.