MEMBERS of the public are invited to attend a waste facility consultation with the Environment Agency.

Two drop-in sessions are being held to explain and discuss a proposal for an integrated waste management facility on the former Rivenhall Airfield site.

Following the Environment Agency’s decision to refuse Gent Fairhead & Co. Ltd’s application for an Environmental Permit to operate the facility in December, the developer has submitted a new application.

The first application was refused because the company failed to demonstrate the design of the waste plant would use best available techniques (BAT) to reduce emissions and their impact on the environment, particularly in relation to the incinerator stack height.

Frank Saunders, team leader at the Environment Agency said: “Gent Fairhead & Co. Ltd’s revised proposals include a change to the height of the incinerator stack.

"We encourage local people to come to the drop-ins to find out more about the latest proposals. We’d like to hear their thoughts and concerns to make sure we consider local representations in our decision making process.”

Sessions will be held on Monday from 2pm to 7pm in Silver End Village Hall and on Friday from 2pm to 7pm in Christ Church, Stoneham Street, Coggeshall.

Environment Agency staff will be at the drop-ins to discuss the proposals and explain their role in permitting and regulating this type of facility.

They will explain what will happen and how people can be involved during the consultation and decision-making process.

Officers from Essex County Council will also be on hand to answer planning-related questions.

The consultation period opened on March 9 and closes on 13 April 2017.

Comments can be submitted online at bit.ly/2nuGobJ or email to pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk.