Angus Fire permit draft explains proposed PFAS treatment measures
Iain Hoey
Share this content
Angus Fire permit moves to draft decision stage
The Environment Agency has opened a consultation on its minded-to decision to grant a permit variation for Angus Fire’s site in High Bentham, North Yorkshire.
The Environment Agency said the application is for an effluent treatment plant to reduce PFAS contamination in collected rainwater and future rainwater falling onto key areas of the site.
The consultation runs from Thursday 5 March until the end of Wednesday 1 April 2026.
The agency said it had reviewed comments and evidence from the original consultation last summer and could not find a reason to refuse the application at this stage.
It said the draft decision document explains how comments from the earlier consultation were considered and sets out the decision-making behind the draft outcome.
The draft permit document sets out the conditions the operator would need to meet if the permit variation is granted.
The Environment Agency said people can respond through its Citizen Space consultation website or by email.
Angus Fire site plans and PFAS treatment
Previously, Angus Fire manufactured and tested firefighting foam at the site, and the foam is known to have contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The Environment Agency said those PFAS chemicals contaminate rainwater when it falls onto key areas of the site.
That rainwater has been collected so it can be treated to reduce PFAS substances.
The application covers an effluent treatment plant intended to reduce PFAS in stored rainwater and in future rainwater from the site.
Once treated at the plant, the rainwater would be discharged to the River Wenning.
The proposed PFAS level remaining in the treated rainwater discharged into the river would be in line with levels currently accepted as best practice for PFAS treatment processes.
The operator no longer manufactures firefighting foam at its High Bentham site.
The application relates to treating rainwater affected by the site’s previous manufacturing processes.
Angus Fire consultation invites public responses
John Neville, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “We have carefully considered all of the documents, as well as the consultation comments, and currently can’t find any reason to refuse the variation application.
“Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment and we are carrying out a detailed and robust assessment.
“I’d encourage interested parties to view the decision document and send us their comments. We’ll then make our final decision once we’ve reviewed those responses.”
The Environment Agency said it may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more legal requirements under environmental legislation.
It said that where an application shows a site can operate in line with current environmental regulations and provide a high level of protection for the environment and human health, it is legally required to issue a permit.
The consultation documents explain what the agency can take into account when deciding the application, and people who cannot respond online or by email can contact the Environment Agency by phone.