Consultation opens on Angus Fire permit application
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-24)

Angus Fire Limited has applied to the Environment Agency to vary its environmental permit to reduce chemical contamination on its site at High Bentham.

The operator has applied to vary the permit to introduce an effluent treatment plant.

Previously, Angus Fire manufactured and tested firefighting foam. This foam is known to have contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These PFAS chemicals are transferred into rainwater when it falls on to key areas of the site.

Angus Fire has been collecting this rainwater so it can be treated to reduce the PFAS substances.

The application is for an effluent treatment plant to reduce the PFAS in both the collected rainwater and the future rainwater that falls onto the site.

The operator no longer manufacturers firefighting foam at its High Bentham site. The application is for treating rainwater to reduce PFAS chemicals from the site’s previous manufacturing processes.

The Environment Agency is now seeking views from the local community and interested groups on the application.

The consultation will run from Thursday 24 July until Thursday 21 August 2025.

It is live on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space website. (https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/la2-7na-angus-fire-limited/)

The website explains what the Environment Agency can and can’t take into account when deciding on the application.

Agency ‘welcomes comments from the public’

John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment and we will carry out a detailed and robust assessment of Angus Fire’s permit variation application.

We welcome comments from the public and interested groups on local environmental factors that people feel are important.

Once treated at the effluent plant, the rainwater would be discharged to the River Wenning.

The proposed level of PFAS 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 Environment Agency may only refuse a permit application if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation.

If the application shows that the site can operate in a way that meets all current environmental regulations and will provide a high level of protection of the environment and human health, the Environment Agency is legally obliged to issue a permit.

People can respond to the consultation directly on the website or alternatively by email to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Background information

Consultation
- Responses to the consultation can be made electronically. To access the relevant documentation, visit our consultation website (https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/la2-7na-angus-fire-limited/)
- Information on the website explains how you can view the consultation documents and how you can make your comments. We also explain what we can and can’t take into account when deciding on the application.
- Anyone wishing to comment on the proposals is urged to read the documentation online before responding directly on the website or by email to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- Those unable to make representation via the consultation website or by email should contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.
Environmental permits
- Environmental permits set out strict legal conditions by which an operator must comply in order to protect people and the environment. Should an environmental permit be issued, the Environment Agency has responsibility for enforcing its conditions.
- Our powers include enforcement notices, suspension and revocation of permits, fines and ultimately criminal sanctions, including prosecution.
- We may only refuse a permit if it does not meet one or more of the legal requirements under environmental legislation, including if it will have a significant impact on the environment or harm human health. If all the requirements are met, we are legally required to issue a permit.