News: Environmental permit application withdrawn for Rotherham site

The Environment Agency has confirmed that a permit regarding glass recycling at a site in Rotherham has been withdrawn.

Operators were previously served with a statutory abatement order following complaints from nearby residents.

Universal Glass Ltd has been operating from Rotherham Road in Dinnington. Rothbiz reported on a permit application for non-hazardous waste recycling which stated that the throughput of the site was proposed to be less than 75,000 tonnes a year, targeting "wastes consisting predominantly of glass, with smaller fractions of packaging materials."

The application is now listed as withdrawn and the local MP, Jake Richards has said that the firm has closed the site and the operation "will be moved to another location."

The MP said: "I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this campaign, your strength of feeling and demand for action has been heard and we have collectively ensured that this issue has been resolved for local residents.

"For the past 15 months, residents around the area have been contacting me to report a foul and toxic smell coming from the Glass recycling plant. Residents spoke about the impact on their day-to-day lives; not being able to open windows, avoiding going outside, and worrying about the effect on their health. Many described the smell as being particularly bad over weekends, and the strength of feeling was clear: people were frustrated and wanted action.

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"Residents were also worried that the company had applied for an Environmental Permit, which would enable them to continue operating and further enhance the risk to residents’ safety and quality of life."

The permit would have allowed for HGVs to deliver waste which would be crushed and screened outside with a second screening inside. Once treated, the materials would then be considered a specified, saleable product, and would no longer constitute a waste. Different products would be separately stockpiled and bagged before being loaded to HGVs for onward delivery.

Permitted work would have been carried out 8:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and 8:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays.

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News: Firm applies for environmental permit at Rotherham site following complaints

The Environment Agency is due to decide whether to grant a permit regarding glass recycling at a site in Rotherham.

The process takes place after operators where served with a statutory abatement order following complaints from nearby residents.

Universal Glass Ltd operates from Rotherham Road in Dinnington. The permit application for non-hazardous waste recycling states that the site includes nine buildings, only two of which would be used for the storage and processing of waste. The others are used as an office, site maintenance and weighbridge etc.

Aplicants say that the throughput of the site is proposed to be less than 75,000 tonnes a year, targeting "wastes consisting predominantly of glass, with smaller fractions of packaging materials."

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Delivered by HGVs, waste would be crushed and screened outside with a second screening inside. Once treated, the materials will be considered a specified, saleable product, and would no longer constitute a waste. Different products would be separately stockpiled and bagged before being loaded to HGVs for onward delivery.

Permitted work would be carried out 8:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and 8:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays.

Consultants for Universal Glass, MPG say that: "All activities will be conducted in accordance with Environment Agency Guidance.

"There are no emissions arising from the proposed activities. However, the storage, handling and treatment of waste hasthe potential to generate dust and noise emissions" adding that with high concrete block walls, no adverse impact is predicted. Installing hoods on feed hoppers, misting systems or water sprays could also minimise dust.

Responding to the consultation for the permit, Jake Richards, MP for the area, is raising the concerns of constituents. The Rother Valley MP said: "Over the past 14 months, residents living near the site have repeatedly contacted me as their local Member of Parliament to raise concerns about a persistent and often very strong odour affecting the surrounding area.

"It has also been reported to me that Environmental Health officers have attended the area and have experienced the odour themselves. In addition, residents have submitted more than 100 impact statements describing the severity of the issue and the effect it has had on their daily lives. The volume of reports clearly demonstrates the level of concern within the community.

"There remains a lack of confidence locally that the issues will be adequately addressed without further scrutiny."

Respondents also raise issues regarding dust and glass particles from the operations, with some reporting breathing difficulties.

Rotherham councillors have previously discussed motions of no confidence in the Environment Agency on issues such as flooding in Catcliffe and Treeton and Droppingwell Tip in Kimberworth.

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News: Landfill operators "breach planning conditions" at Rotherham tip site

Rotherham Council has served a planning enforcement notice against the operators of the Droppingwell Tip - an appeal has been subsequently lodged.

When landfilling operations ceased at the Kimberworth site, the planning permission and environmental permit allowing landfilling activity in January 1978 remained in place. The EA granted a permit variation from Grange Landfill Ltd in 2016 which allows for 150,000 tonnes of inert waste to be imported, and 55,000 tonnes of waste for restoration, each year.

The permit variation imposed a range of conditions that must be complied with, before any deposit of waste will be allowed.

The site currently remains pre-operational.

Investigating "every avenue" to stop the tip from reopening, Rotherham Council has now gone back to the 1958 planning approval and say that in preparing the tip for reopening, the operators have breached a condition regarding the amount of land "out of cultivation."

The 1957 plans include a condition that, for a third phase, "tipping operations shall be so arranged that not more than 5 acres of the land referred to shall be out of cultivation at any one period." This was to protect agricultural use and the ammenity of the area.

The permit to repoen the tip requires preparation works including the creation of bunds around containment cells and planning documents say that the bunds have been erected in a rectangle approximately 215m long x 110m wide and 10m high.

Rotherham Council planners say that even though the bunds have been covered in topsoil, they cannot be classed as being in cultivation. When added to the land used for the tipping waste, roads, storage area, compound, lagoon, ditches and top soil heap, the works carried out exceed the 5 acre limit for land out of cultivation.

When issuing the enforcement notice in March, planners measured some 7.42 acres out of cultivation and gave operators three months to revert the land back so that no more than 5 acres was out of cultivation.

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Instead, Grange Landfill has employed agents to appeal the enforcement notice and a planning inspector will now judge the case.

Agents argue that the 1958 permission does not clarify what is meant by the word "cultivation" and say that the topsoil applied to parts of the constructed bunds has been grass seeded and "are considered by the Appellant to be not out of cultivation." The same is argued for the the base of Cell 1 which has not been stripped of topsoil and remains grassed until tipping can start.

Compared to Rotherham Council's assesment of 7.42 acres, Grange Landfill contends that the area out of cultivation comprises 3.27 acres.

At the same time as the planning appeal goes ahead, Rotherham Council has launched a call for evidence relating to the accessway at Droppingwell Tip.

The access road to the tip is on land owned by the Council, with the owner of the tip, Grange Landfill Ltd, claiming a right of access over the land. Grange Landfill Ltd have provided information to support their claim and the Council is asking the public for any information they may have.

Rotherham Council’s Assistant Director of Legal Services Phillip Horsfield said: “The Council is inviting anyone with additional information on the use of the accessway to provide this to the Council. A legal assessment of any additional information will then take place to ensure that all information has been taken into account when considering these complex legal issues.”

The call for evidence will remain open for two months, up until the June 12.

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News: Ceremony for canal barrier completion at Forge Island

Rotherham Council and partners have officially opened the new, state-of-the-art canal barrier at Forge Island in the town centre.

The barrier has added a new feature to the Rotherham skyline alongside the historic Rotherham canal, lock and towpath. The barrier is a single phase of the Rotherham Renaissance Flood Alleviation Scheme, which will reduce the risk of flooding to the town centre, businesses and Rotherham Central railway station.

Construction work began on the barrier in August 2021 and was completed in August 2022.

The barrier and associated works in this phase cost £4.45m and was funded by funding from the Levelling Up Fund, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, European Regional Development Fund, Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy, and Network Rail.

The construction of the barrier required around 50 tonnes of steel reinforcements and 1,000 tonnes of concrete. This included 450 tonnes of low carbon cement free concrete, which resulted in a saving of 44 tonnes of embedded Carbon Dioxide (CO2) compared to traditional cement concrete and supported the Council’s commitment to a cleaner, greener local environment, targeting the reduction of carbon emissions.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet member for Transport and Environment, Cllr Dominic Beck, said: “The new canal barrier at the Rotherham Lock is a fantastic focal point of the flood alleviation works and showcases all of the hard work done by our Flood Risk Team and partners during the project. The canal barrier has already become an iconic part of the Rotherham town centre skyline, and will provide reassurance and protection for countless residents who live and work alongside the River Don.

“I am very proud to be involved in the opening of the Canal Barrier, especially as from Monday 7th November to Sunday 13th November is the Environment Agency’s Flood Action week. The canal barrier is a great example of what the Council and its partners are doing to prepare and act so that reduce risk to damage and to life from flooding in Rotherham.”

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The canal barrier is part of the Rotherham Renaissance Flood Alleviation Scheme (RRFAS) – a project which will construct new flood defences along a five kilometre stretch of the River Don through the Templeborough, town centre and Parkgate areas of Rotherham. The project also includes a section of flood defences in Kilnhurst.

Darren Blank, Project Manager at Jackson Civil Engineering, said: “The project has been highly challenging whilst proving rewarding in all aspects of Civil Engineering and teamwork. It has highlighted the importance of early collaboration and relationships throughout the scheme stakeholders. We as the Principal Contractor have tried to place these principals at the forefront whilst relying on the skills and expertise of our site teams to deliver a high standard of delivery. We are immensely proud of the final product and the innovations and sustainable solutions we found along the way. We look forward to continuing to deliver flood resilience projects in Rotherham in the future, thereby protecting the residents and businesses as we move into a changing climatic period.”

Recommended reading: Is this the end for Rotherham town centre?

Mark Duquemin, Head of Environmental Management & Sustainability for Pell Frischmann, said: “We are very pleased to see the canal barrier come to life, ready to protect the people and communities of Rotherham from flooding. It’s been rewarding working on the design and supporting the construction of this iconic structure with our design partners KGAL, providing mechanical & electrical services for the flood gate, and Ecus, providing landscape architecture services.”

By 2023, approximately £15m of works will have been constructed as part of the latest phases of the Flood Alleviation Scheme, providing a continuous line of defence over 1.6km. A further 1.9km is still needed on the north/west bank in order to reduce risk from the River Don between Forge Island and Parkgate. Further work is also required at Marsh Street/Sheffield Road and Effingham Street/St Anne’s near Parkgate.

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News: Council considering vote of no confidence in Environment Agency

Rotherham Council is set to discuss whether to put forward a vote of no confidence in the Environment Agency (EA) over its handling of the controversial reopening of Droppingwell tip.

When landfilling operations ceased at the Kimberworth site, the planning permission and environmental permit allowing landfilling activity in January 1978 remained in place. The EA granted a permit variation in 2016 which allows for 150,000 tonnes of inert waste to be imported, and 55,000 tonnes of waste for restoration, each year.

The permit variation imposed a range of conditions that must be complied with, before any deposit of waste will be allowed. These include groundwater and landfill gas monitoring requirements, the construction of engineered bunds and a system to collect and treat surface water.

The last update from EA in July 2022 was that the site was "pre-operational" whilst permit holders, Grange Landfill Ltd, installed engineered infrastructure to meet the requirements of the Landfill Directive to ensure that the proposed landfill activity at this site will not impact on the local environment.

The necessary engineering works for the first waste cell on Grange Landfill were almost complete in July, and the EA said that it expected the submission of a validation report sometime during August 2022.

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Numerorus issues have been raised by the community regarding the operations. Opponents say that "works carry on, without the proper level of scrutiny and regulation of the Environment agency. This has led to dozens of complaints that have been escalated to stage 2 and several are now sitting with the office of the parliamentary ombudsmen."

At full council next week, local councillors, Ian Jones and Rob Elliott have put forward a motion regarding the EA.

Councillors are being asked to vote on whether the council believes that: "Due to the ineffective nature of the Environment Agencies regulation, its inability to take any kind of enforcement action, the members of the public in Rotherham West and this council no longer have any confidence in the Environment Agency."

It adds: "Mirroring the thoughts and wishes of the residents of Droppingwell, Blackburn and Kimberworth, this council should pass a motion of No Confidence in the Environment Agencies [sic] handling of the site.

"That the Chief Executive be required to write to the head of the Environment Agency and the Government minister impressing on them the need for a full, open and transparent public enquiry into the re-permitting and ongoing lack of regulation of the site."

The Council has previously said that it had exhausted all options in regard to how it could prevent the activity that was going on at Droppingwell Tip. The Government has also confirmed that it will not intervene in the planning issue at Droppingwell and use powers to revoke or discontinue the planning permission and to fund any compensation claims.

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News: Update on Droppingwell tip

The Environment Agency (EA) and Rotherham Council have provided updates on the controversial tip reopening at Droppingwell where the operator has not yet completed works to prepare the site for full operation and to fulfil the requirements of the Environmental Permit.

When landfilling operations ceased at the Kimberworth site, the planning permission and environmental permit allowing landfilling activity in January 1978 remained in place. The EA granted a permit variation in 2016 which allows for 150,000 tonnes of inert waste to be imported, and 55,000 tonnes of waste for restoration, each year.

On site works have been temporarily paused by the operator, Grange Landfill Limited, due to priorities elsewhere, and plant has been removed from site. The operator has not yet confirmed as to when works may recommence at Grange Landfill, but the Environment Agency anticipates that the operator will recommence activities on site early in 2022.

An update from the EA reads: "Once all engineering works to comply with the permit conditions are complete the operator will submit a validation report to the Environment Agency. If we are satisfied that all conditions have been met to the required standard, the Operator will be given permission to operate the landfill site.

"Please note that no waste disposal activities will commence until our Regulatory Specialists are fully satisfied that the landfill infrastructure has been engineered to the relevant standards."

Opponents, including residents, users of nearby football and golf facilities, the council, and the local MP, have raised concerns regarding traffic, noise and other impacts on the local area which has changed since the original plans were approved in the 1950s.

A council report shows that the authority served a Planning Contravention Notice (PCN) to Grange Landfill Limited in September 2021, keen to find out how they intend to comply with the conditions attached to the 1958 planning permission, specifically to condition 3 which stated that "tipping operations shall be so arranged that not more than 5 acres of the land referred to shall be out of cultivation at any one period."

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Local residents were concerned that Condition 3 was being breached during the preparation of the site for the new tipping operations.

However, the report adds that "the Council does not have any evidence to suggest that there has been a breach of planning control at this time but that this would not prevent enforcement action in the future should there be a breach of the conditions and it was deemed expedient to do so."

The position follows on from the Government confirming that it will not intervene in the planning issue at Droppingwell and use powers to revoke or discontinue the planning permission and to fund any compensation claims.

As well as planning issues, the report provides an update on the access road to the Grange Landfill site which is on land owned by the Council. Risks have been raised by visitors to Millmoor Juniors Football Club and the Council continues to keep its legal position under review.

On public rights of way situated across the Grange Landfill site, the Secretary of State has been asked to make a decision regarding a number of claimed rights of way.

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News: Work begins on new Rotherham town centre flood defence

Works to install a new multimillion-pound canal barrier at Forge Island are now underway as part of a key milestone in the Forge Island flood defence and enabling scheme.

These works form the central part of the Rotherham to Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme that the Council are already delivering along 5km of the River Don.

Rothbiz reported in June on the new canal barrier that joins the flood wall that has recently been constructed on Forge Island, which together will help reduce the risk of the River Don overtopping into the canal and flooding Rotherham town centre and the Central Railway Station.

Since June 2007 the Council has invested over £17m delivering flood defence schemes along the River Don corridor.

As well as being an integral part of the town centre flood defence, the canal barrier will add an impressive aesthetic element to the area, sitting alongside the Forge Island leisure development.

The flood defence scheme on and adjacent to Forge Island also includes improvements to the adjacent towpath, high-quality landscaping and new amphitheatre seating overlooking the lock.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, Cllr Dominic Beck, said: “The threat of flooding causes a great deal of stress and upset to both residents and local businesses, as well as potentially causing havoc to the transport infrastructure. We saw with the flooding of 2007 and 2019 the amount of devastation it can cause, having lasting effects for years to come.

“We are committed to preventing a repeat of the flooding we’ve seen in recent years and the installation of the canal barrier will help protect our vital town centre business and Central Train Station.”

The rail link at Rotherham has been badly affected by flooding on several occasions with Network Rail set to contribute £400,000 towards the delivery of the canal barrier to provide resilience to this section of their network.

Matt Rice, North and East Route Director for Network Rail, said: “We saw the significant impact that severe weather can have on the railway earlier this year when Storm Christoph brought heavy downpours across the North, flooding sections of track in Rotherham. At the time, we were able to keep passengers moving by diverting services but installing this new canal barrier will help reduce risk from future floods and reduce the impact on the railway.

“We’re delighted to be contributing towards the funding of the canal barrier as we continue to work closely with Rotherham Council and other partners to reduce the impact of severe weather on the railway, the town and the surrounding area.”

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Work is due to be completed next summer. Until then the canal-side footpath and cycle route will be closed until August 2022 and a signed diversion is in place. Part of the Trans Pennine Trail will also operate with a diversion. The Statutes car park will remain open.

After a successful bid Jackson Civil Engineering Group Ltd has been awarded the construction contract following completion of the design by consultants Pell Frischmann.

A spokesperson for Jackson Civil Engineering Group Ltd commented: “Jackson is delighted to be delivering this exciting project and providing local residents and businesses in Rotherham with a vital piece of flood alleviation infrastructure.

“This scheme further bolsters the relationship we have with Rotherham Council and the good works we have already delivered on the wider Rotherham to Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme.”

Mark Duquemin, Head of Environmental Management and Sustainability for Pell Frischmann said: “We are very pleased to have carried out the design for this iconic structure with our design partners KGAL, providing mechanical & electrical services for the flood gate, and Ecus, providing landscape architecture services.

“We look forward to working with the Council and Jackson Civil Engineering Group Ltd during the construction of the canal barrier which, when finished, will reduce flood risk to the people and communities of Rotherham from flooding.”

Construction follows approvals by the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency to carry out the works to the canal and surrounding area.

Sean McGinley, director at the Canal and River Trust Yorkshire & North East, said: “We are delighted to be working with Rotherham Council on this project to protect the town from flooding.

“As a charity, we are always willing to work with partners to improve the infrastructure of our waterways, and we are pleased to have liaised closely with the Council during the concept and design of this project.”

Dave Ferguson at the Environment Agency commented: “This innovative new flood defence, combined with the new flood wall on Forge Island, will help reduce flood risk to homes, businesses and key transport infrastructure in Rotherham and improve resilience to the effects of climate change.

“We can never completely eliminate the risk of flooding, but people can ensure they are ready this autumn and winter by preparing a flood plan and signing up for free flood warnings.”

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News: £36m still needed to plug funding gap for flood schemes

Despite a number of schemes making it onto a national list of future flood alleviation investment, Rotherham Council has still estimated that there is a funding gap of £36.5m.

Rothbiz reported recently on the Government announcing that there would be £860m invested in 1,000 flood defence schemes this year as part of its Flood and Coastal Erosion Investment Plan.

A number of Rotherham schemes were included such as the the Rotherham Renaissance Flood Alleviation Scheme being down to receive an indicative contribution of £15.1m for 2021/22-2026/27. £488,060 is the Government's indicative investment to the scheme.

Other Rotherham schemes on the funding list include the Eel Mires Dike Flood Alleviation Scheme at Dinnington and Laughton Common (an indicative contribution of £1.45m) and Lake Outfall Pumping Station Refurbishment in the north of the borough (£725,000). Some Rother Washland Optimisation is also in line for funding.

Not on the list were Whiston Brook and Catcliffe.

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Last year, it was identified that £51m was needed to implement all of the region's flood-related schemes and, despite the confirmed Government funding, there was still a £125m gap in the South Yorkshire Flooding Priority Programme.

An update to Rotherham Council's Improving Places Select Commission states that as at August 2021, £15.5m of funding has been secured against the overall £52m initial estimated cost, leaving an estimated funding gap of £36.5m.

Rotherham Council's six key schemes are:

- Rotherham to Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme (£24m)
- Parkgate & Rawmarsh FAS (£14m)
- Whiston Brook FAS at Whiston (£4m)
- Eel Mires Dike FAS at Laughton Common (£3m)
- Catcliffe permanent pumping station (£5m)
- Culvert renewal programme (£2m)

£5.8m of council funding is being used to get the projects "shovel ready" for when funding does come on stream. The most advanced are the Rotherham to Kilnhurst FAS and the Parkgate & Rawmarsh FAS. Pre-construction work could take until 2024.

£5.7m of the Council's Town Centre Investment Fund has been put towards flood projects in the area. Other sources of funding include the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - £1.6m, Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority (Local Growth Funds) - £1.3m, Environment Agency - £0.7m, and Network Rail - £0.4m.

Upcoming phases around the town centre include flood defences at Ickles and a canal barrier is planned at Forge Island where the site of the former Tesco store is set to be home to an eight screen cinema, a 69 bed hotel, four restaurants and car parking.

A council report states: "Significant funding is needed to deliver the six priority FAS [flood alleviation scheme] projects to completion. To support that £5.8m of capital budget was approved by Council in March 2021, to enable all the priority FAS projects to be brought to a ‘shovel ready’ state, to support future investment in the schemes and provide certainty in terms of the work that is required and the detailed costs.

"The Council continues to ask Central Government for support in funding all six priority FAS projects to enable them to be completed."

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News: Rotherham flood schemes on funding list

A key Rotherham flood alleviaton scheme looks set to receive £15m, newly published Government data shows.

Rothbiz reported at the start of 2021 that a number of Rotherham schemes were expected to benefit from an £80m Government investment in South Yorkshire flood defences, following sustained pressure and cooperation with local leaders and the Environment Agency in response to the November 2019 floods in the region.

Having earlier been included in Environment Agency’s Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee's plans, the Rotherham Renaissance Flood Alleviation Scheme is down to receive an indicative contribution of £15.1m for 2021/22-2026/27. £488,060 is the Government's indicative investment to the scheme.

The Rotherham To Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme requires some £24m and includes downstream phases from Forge Island to Parkgate, and Kilnhurst.

The most recent work on the scheme is the £3m Phase 2A which provides flood defences from Ickles Lock to Centenary Way on the edge of the town centre. It links to earlier phases such as the £15m Phase 1 that was completed in 2008 and comprised of 1.7km of flood protection at Templeborough and the creation of the Centenary Wetland.

£3m Phase 2C is for a canal barrier at Forge Island where the site of the former Tesco store is set to be home to an eight screen cinema, a 69 bed hotel, four restaurants and car parking.

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Other Rotherham schemes on the funding list include the Eel Mires Dike Flood Alleviation Scheme at Dinnington and Laughton Common (an indicative contribution of £1.45m) and Lake Outfall Pumping Station Refurbishment in the north of the borough (£725,000). Some Rother Washland Optimisation is also in line for funding.

Last year, it was identified that £51m was needed to implement all of the region's flood-related schemes and, despite the confirmed Government funding, there was still a £125m gap in the South Yorkshire Flooding Priority Programme.

Not on the list are Whiston Brook, where £4m is needed to create large storage areas upstream of the village, and Catcliffe, an area synonymous with the 2007 floods, where council officers have identified that £5m would be required to create a permanent pumping station.

This year will see an extra £250m spent on flood and coastal defences in 2021/22 compared with last year - the highest ever annual investment. It includes an extra £40m compared with last year for schemes in Yorkshire and the Humber, a region that has suffered from repeated flooding in recent years.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: "We have seen some devastating flooding around the world so far this summer. No one can prevent all flooding and climate change means the risk is increasing, but we can reduce the risks.

"Having completed the government’s previous six year capital programme on time and on budget, better protecting more than 314,000 homes from flooding and coastal erosion, this year we began the government’s new £5.2 billion flood programme."

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News: Funding levels rise for Rotherham flood schemes

Rotherham Council is attempting to accelerate plans for major flood alleviation projects to protect hundreds of homes, businesses and infrastructure in the borough’s worst flood-hit areas.

In budget proposals to be discussed by the Council’s Cabinet next week, it is recommended that £5.8m is allocated from the capital programme to carry out pre-construction design and approval work for six flood alleviation schemes in the borough.

Rothbiz confirmed last month that Rotherham was set to benefit from an £80m Government investment in South Yorkshire flood defences. £52m of which is required to deliver the Rotherham projects.

Council led schemes (total costs):
- Rotherham To Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme (£24m)
- Parkgate Flood Alleviation Scheme (£14m)
- Eel Mires Dike FAS at Laughton Common (£3m)
- Catcliffe permanent pumping station (£5m)
- Culvert renewal programme (£2m)

And Environment Agency led schemes:
- Don Catchment Regulators
- Nature Based Solutions Programme in Mid Don

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Cllr. Emma Hoddinott, Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety at Rotherham Council said: “The threat of flooding continues to create great anxiety and stress for many communities across Rotherham. The flooding of 2007 and 2019, and several ‘near misses’, have left people traumatised, with some households and businesses unable to insure their properties.

“To design and plan major schemes like these is very expensive, but it has to be done before physical work can take place. By making this further investment locally we reiterate our commitment to prevent a repeat of the flooding we’ve seen in recent years – but we still really need the government to step up to and make the full delivery of all these schemes possible.”

Rotherham Council has invested over £17m delivering flood defence schemes since the June 2007 floods along the River Don corridor. Future investment of a further £9m is already being delivered, including a new flood wall on Forge Island, a new Canal Barrier and new flood defences upstream of the New York Stadium.

As well as reducing flood risk to people, property, businesses and infrastructure, the schemes are supporting economic development and regeneration in the town centre and nearby employment areas.

Since the winter storms of 2019, the Council has also delivered small and medium sized works in 48 locations where flooding has occurred to homes, businesses, and strategic roads. The works, totalling £100,000, have included the installation of new road gullies, cleansing to watercourses, CCTV, cleansing and repairs to culverts and highway drains. These schemes have all been delivered by in-house staff to reduce flood risk and this work will continue for a further 12 months.

Rotherham Council’s funding for the pre-construction and design work is part of its £295m capital programme up to 2023/24.

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News: £80m for flood defences with Rotherham to benefit

A number of Rotherham schemes are expected to benefit from an £80m Government investment in South Yorkshire flood defences, following sustained pressure and cooperation with local leaders and the Environment Agency in response to the November 2019 floods in the region.

Combined with other public and private funding, this means that almost £93m has been secured for flood risk investment over the next six-year period.

The funding was confirmed at the Environment Agency’s Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee meeting in January, who considered the new Medium-Term Plan.

It marks a three-fold increase in the scale of investment to South Yorkshire and comes after the Mayor, local authority leaders and the Environment Agency worked together on plans to respond to the November 2019 floods.

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The funding marks a significant step towards the delivery of 27 priority projects identified by the Mayor and local leaders to protect more homes and businesses.

Rotherham schemes in the initial 27 projects set out in 2020 include the Council led schemes:

- Rotherham To Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme
- Parkgate Flood Alleviation Scheme
- Catcliffe Pumping Station
- Eel Mires Dike Flood Alleviation Scheme Flood Alleviation Scheme
- Rotherham Culvert Renewal Programme

And Environment Agency led schemes:
- Don Catchment Regulators
- Nature Based Solutions Programme in Mid Don

The schemes will protect 860 homes across South Yorkshire, as well as ensuring that infrastructure, including Rotherham railway station which was closed again due to flooding recently, is resilient to flooding in the future.

The Rotherham To Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme requires some £24m and includes downstream phases from Forge Island to Parkgate, and Kilnhurst.

Rothbiz reported last year that £51m was needed to implement all of its flood-related schemes and, despite the confirmed Government funding, there is still a £125m gap in the South Yorkshire Flooding Priority Programme.

Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis, said: "Just this week Storm Christoph has shown how a lack of action has left our region exposed.

“It’s therefore incredibly welcome that the Environment Agency’s Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee has approved substantial new investment for South Yorkshire, following extensive work by local leaders to develop a plan which will help protect our region from harm in future.

“Local leaders and I have put forward almost £6m of our own funding to kick start the works and alongside this funding boost, we can go a long way to delivering our plan, which will help keep our communities and businesses safe.

“I’m determined we see the South Yorkshire catchment plan delivered in full, and that’s why the onus is now on Ministers to step up and fill the remaining £125m gap in the South Yorkshire’s Flooding Priority Programme. People in South Yorkshire cannot afford any more sleepless nights. Local leaders have acted decisively, now Ministers must do the same.”

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News: EA provides update on Rotherham tip reopening

Grange Landfill Limited is due to start preparation works this week relating to its permit to dump waste on Droppingwell, Rotherham, according to the Environment Agency (EA).

When landfilling operations ceased at the site, the planning permission and environmental permit allowing landfilling activity in January 1978 remained in place. The EA granted a permit variation in 2016 which allows for 150,000 tonnes of inert waste to be imported, and 55,000 tonnes of waste for restoration, each year.

The operator, Grange Landfill Limited, is required under the conditions of the environmental permit, to install engineered infrastructure to meet the requirements of the permit to ensure that the proposed landfill activity at this site will not impact on the local environment.

Opponents, who gathered on site this morning, have raised concerns regarding traffic, noise and other impacts on the local area which has changed since the original plans were approved in the 1950s.

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, raised the issue in Parliament after EA said that Grange Landfill had met all pre-operational conditions.

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The latest update from EA states: "We advised in June 2019 that Grange Landfill Limited, would within 18 months, commence work to prepare the site before any installation work or major engineering infrastructure work commences.

"We have now received further notification from Grange Landfill Limited of their intention to commence the preparatory works on 4 September 2019. Initially these works will involve installing haul roads around the site and constructing a site office and secure compound. Further works to engineer a surface water system and an impermeable clay barrier to protect groundwater will follow.

"It is likely that staff, plant and machinery will be on site from 4 September 2019.

"No waste disposal activities are to commence until our Officers are fully satisfied that the landfill infrastructure has been engineered to the relevant standards. Grange Landfill Limited have not yet indicated a timescale for the completion of all preparatory works."

Local Cllr. Maggi Clark, said: "It is deeply disappointing that the Environmental Agency has allowed it to progress this far, when there are still many outstanding concerns."

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News: Latest on Rotherham tip reopening

Grange Landfill has met all pre-operational conditions for their permit to dump waste on Droppingwell, Rotherham and the Environment Agency (EA) is waiting on an intention to commence operations on site.

When landfilling operations ceased at the site, the planning permission and environmental permit allowing landfilling activity in January 1978 remained in place. The Environment Agency said it has been obliged to consider any proposal to resume landfilling and to allow the resumption of landfilling if the operator could demonstrate that the new activity complied with current landfill regulations and environmental standards.

The permit variation granted in March 2016 allows for 150,000 tonnes of inert waste to be imported, and 55,000 tonnes of waste for restoration, each year.

All pre-operational conditions have now been fulfilled by the operator and agreed with the EA's technical specialist. Construction of both the surface water management system and landfill infrastructure is now expected.

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EA also confirmed that it has received notification that the operator will, within the next 18 months, commence work to prepare the site before any installation work or major engineering infrastructure work commences. Initially this will involve repairs to security fencing, constructing a site office, compound and installing haul roads around the site.

Concerns had been raised about the environment, previous activity on the site, as well as the impact on local residents and amenities such as nearby facilities for Millmoor Juniors Football Club and the Peter Cowen Golf Academy.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the people behind the permit application but the EA has carried out its Fit and Proper Person assessments appropriately and in accordance with the designated criteria and consider Grange Landfill Limited is a competent operator.

Cllr. Maggi Clark, who represents the area, said: "The agreement of the permit is deeply disappointing for us. It is unthinkable that this beauty spot will be torn up and turned into a tip. On behalf of all residents I urge the Environment Agency to rethink it's position."

Cllr. Emma Hoddinott, Cabinet Member for Waste at Rotherham Council, added: "Though the beginning of tipping is not imminent, this granting of the permit is one step towards that. The council will look at all avenues to stop this tip going forward, but ultimately the Environment Agency needs to look at it's handling of this permit."

Environment Agency website

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News: Warning over waste criminals

The Environment Agency is issuing warnings to farmers and commercial property owners in South Yorkshire about waste criminals abandoning properties filled with baled waste, leaving the owners with the clean up bill.

In a bid to stop waste criminals in their tracks, the Environment Agency is reaching out to property and land owners, commercial property agents, trade associations and local authorities. Their aim is to warn of the dangers posed by waste criminals and advise them, their clients and their members how they can better protect themselves.

Jamie Fletcher, from the Environment Agency, said: "Waste criminals operate throughout the country, offering to remove waste cheaply and then dumping it in fields or empty warehouses. They tend to move to new areas as enforcement agencies become wise to their activities. We know it's only a matter of time before they target us again so we're sending out a strong message: Waste criminals are not welcome here and we're doing everything in our power to deter and catch them.

"We can't do it alone. We work closely with partners to share intelligence on illegal waste activity. And we're encouraging everyone to do their bit: for property and land owners to be vigilant and better protect themselves and for all businesses, organisations and individuals to manage their waste responsibly, preventing it from getting into criminal hands in the first place."

Land and property owners are advised to:

- Check any empty land and property regularly and make sure it is secure.
- Carry out rigorous checks on prospective and new tenants. Land and property owners have a responsibility to ensure anyone leasing their land/property complies with regulations. They may be committing an offence by allowing waste to be stored on land or property without the relevant permissions and could leave them liable to prosecution
- Be vigilant and report any unusual behaviour.

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In addition to removing the waste, costs could be even higher if land is contaminated or insurance premiums rise as a result. Dumped waste is also a major fire risk.

Last month, bosses at a local recycling firm received sentences after serious environmental permit breaches result in numerous fires. Corporate officers working for Nottinghamshire Recycling Limited (NRL) and two who worked for Park Farming Limited (PFL) breached environmental permits at three sites in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, and Kiveton and South Anston in Rotherham.

The sites were operated illegally despite the fact that NRL had previously been convicted in 2011 for offences it had committed at Shireoaks Road.

Kevin Malcom Burgess of Manton Forest Farm, Worksop, Warren Richard Steele of Drury Lane, Doncaster, David Vincent Berry of Orchard Court, South Normanton, Edward Charles Freeman of Stephen Hill, Sheffield, Martin Crowther of Chapel Rise, Anston, Sheffield and Peter Charles Sanderson of Peak Close, Bramley, Rotherham, were sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court.

Defendants linked to NRL continued to act illegally after the company had previously been convicted in 2011. Documents discovered during the course of the Environment Agency's investigation clearly demonstrated that company officers were fully aware that the sites were being operated illegally.

The agency said that the companies repeatedly operated outside the terms of their environmental permits for financial gain and that waste was stored in huge quantities outside of the businesses' permitted areas. Waste was blended at both the Worksop and Kiveton site in an attempt to avoid higher rates of landfill tax.

Large stockpiles of various waste deposited illegally by the companies at the sites still remain and continue to have an environmental impact. Both NRL and PFL entered administration during the period of the investigation. They have since gone into liquidation.

Environment Agency website

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News: Rotherham’s scheme wins approval from Environment Agency

The Environment Agency’s Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee has praised the rapid progress on one of the most important flood alleviation schemes in the north of England. The £14m first phase is still on target to complete this summer, and supports the town’s massive regeneration plans by protecting many sites earmarked for re-development under the Renaissance programme. Jacobs is the scheme designer and contract project manager and Volker Stevin the main construction contractor. Committee chairman Jeremy Walker said after visiting the operations: "We see this as a great example for the future. We are delighted to be part of the project, and to be working in partnership with Rotherham Council and others to enable regeneration to take place, which is vital to the South Yorkshire economy." The council’s strategic director for Environment and Development Services, Karl Battersby, said: "It should be a welcome relief for Rotherham’s business owners and residents to know that by completing this first phase, already the scheme will protect a one-kilometre stretch of the River Don, resulting in a one-in-100-year flood protection standard. The next priority is Phase 2. This includes the planned removal of the Don Bridge, a major obstruction to flows in the river. It causes increased height of flows during flooding and backs up past the Tesco supermarket one kilometre upstream and beyond the Guest & Chrimes site."
Rotherham Renaissance website

Sheffield Telegraph article

The Star website
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News: Partnership approach to flood alleviation gains national recognition

The Environment Agency discusses the strong partnership ethos that has been key to the Rotherham Flood Alleviation Scheme taking place at Templeborough. The scheme will improve the infrastructure and reduce the risk of flooding at over 100 properties, businesses and key development sites in the town. With the Agency's help, Rotherham Borough Council has secured over £12 million of support from Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund to help deliver the project, backed up by £2 million from the council and by nearly half a million pounds from the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee. The project is being managed by Jacobs and the main contractor is Volker Stevin. The first phase of construction is due to be completed in the summer of 2008 and the second phase is currently being designed. The Environment Agency will be taking over the future maintenance of the flood defence structures and Sheffield Rotherham Wildlife Trust has been selected to manage the wetland area. Toby Willison, the Environment Agency’s regional director, explains: “Clearly this is a very important scheme to reduce flood risk and major disruption to large parts of Rotherham. It will help to protect not only road and rail links but also the employers vital to the area’s economic wellbeing." Karl Battersby, Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services for Rotherham Borough Council said: “This scheme is a vital part of the Rotherham Renaissance agenda as it underpins the Riverside focus for the exciting new developments planned for the town." This week the government learned that the UK would receive £31m from the EU solidarity fund to help with the clean up from last year's flood. Figures of £110m had been reported in March.
Environment Agency website
Rotherham Renaissance website

Rotherham

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