Waste management firm plans asbestos treatment plant near Bassetlaw nature reserve

A waste management company plans to build a facility removing asbestos from contaminated soil at Daneshill Landfill Site, near Lound.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

FCC Environment’s new soil treatment facility will take 30,000 tonnes of ‘hazardous’ soil a year - removing toxic materials and using the remaining earth to restore the site.

The company say they will use the decontaminated soil to fill the landfill void over the next ten years.

As well as 29,999 tonnes per annum of hazardous soils, 20,001 tonnes of non-hazardous soils will be imported every year - meaning a maximum of 500,000 tonnes over a decade.

Waste management company FCC Environment say the asbestos picking operations would not result in any harm to public health. Photo: GettyWaste management company FCC Environment say the asbestos picking operations would not result in any harm to public health. Photo: Getty
Waste management company FCC Environment say the asbestos picking operations would not result in any harm to public health. Photo: Getty

In a planning statement asking permission for a ‘temporary operation’ over 10 years FCC also give details of ‘asbestos picking operations’.

Read More
Close shave for drone and two-seater plane near Gamston Airport

Inhaling airborne asbestos fibres can cause serious illnesses such as often fatal cancer mesothelioma.

However the company say picking will take place in an ‘enclosed external working area’ and only on soils with ‘no potential for fibre release’.

Daneshill Lakes nature reserve - half-a-mile from the siteDaneshill Lakes nature reserve - half-a-mile from the site
Daneshill Lakes nature reserve - half-a-mile from the site

The statement reads: “The process comprises initial screening of the soil followed with visual inspection and handpicking of the different soil fractions undertaken until all visible asbestos is removed.

“No picking of asbestos fibres is possible using this approach and asbestos fibre concentrations in soil would remain unchanged.

“The treatable waste streams would be limited to soils that are hazardous due to the presence of asbestos fragments but do not contain either hazardous concentrations of asbestos fibres or fibre concentrations that could generate airborne fibres at concentrations above the described HSE clearance limits.”

The company say daily air monitoring will also be in place to ensure no airborne release of asbestos fibres.

They add: “As such, the picking operations would not result in any harm to public health.”

Asbestos removed from the soil will be placed in a lockable skip before being sent to hazardous landfill for compliant disposal.

The site is located half-a-mile from nature reserve Daneshill Lakes and Lound.

Objecting to the site, Lound Parish Council said although an ecology report found ‘no high-risk’ to any European protected animal species it was ‘over 3 years old and significantly out of date’.

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/ so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.

Related topics: