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Womenwith Hill Women's Peace Camp[aign],
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21 February 2003 |
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I have contacted the Environment Agency and the Harrogate Planning Department as it appears that work to replace the underground fuel
storage tanks has begun - in disregard of the Environment Agency's recommendations. The mobile fuel pumps, a replacement tank and excavators were parked on the SATCOM Car
Park last week, but have since disappeared. If Menwith Hill has put so much as a spade in the ground they are in deep sh-fuel oil.
On December 19th 2002 we wrote to the Environment Agency and Harrogate Planning Office expressing concern about the plans to replace the underground fuel storage tanks
at Menwith Hill - a major undertaking. We submitted evidence of fuel oil leaks in the 1990's and their contamination of feeder streams to the Leeds water supply at
Swinsty Reservoir. We also submitted evidence of the mess that was left behind at Greenham Common after the USAF departed. We referred also to an Environmental Survey
conducted in the early 90's by an unannounced US inspection team, whose conclusions were that the environment at MHS was 'fair to poor'. We called for an Environmental
Impact Assessment.
On 3rd February the Environment Agency made recommendations to the Harrogate Planning Department and Defence Estates' Organisation. These were adopted as the Council's
policy:
1. To assess the risks to the water environment and to prevent pollution of the water environment no development approved by this permission should be commenced
until an investigation to assess the impact of the site on the water environment has been undertaken to identify the risk of pollution, and specify any remedial measures
required; and a report detailing these measures has been submitted to, and approved by, the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter, the development shall then proceed in
strict accordance with the measures approved.
Any visibly contaminated or odorous material encountered on the site during the development work, must be investigated. The Planing Authority must be informed
immediately of the nature and degree of contamination present.
2. To protect the groundwater quality in the area full structural details of the installation, including the means of excavation, details of excavation, details of the
tank, its surround, associated pipework and monitoring system must be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the work on
the site. Thereafter all installation shall proceed in accordance with the approved details.
3. To protect the groundwater quality in the area details of the final surfacing and containment arrangements for all areas used for the storage, handling, loading and
unloading of fuels, oils, chemicals or effluents shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the approved scheme shall be
fully implemented and retained throughout the life of the development.
The local authority has no power to enforce these recommendations. In practice there is no UK control over Menwith Hill (not even by the Secretary of State for
Defence?).
We shall have to ask.
Anne Lee
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