Determination of an Application for a PPC Permit under the Pollution
Prevention and Control (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2013 (SR 2013
No. 160)
Decision Document recording the decision-making process
Note: all references to the “PPC Regulations” are to the Pollution Prevention and Control
(Northern Ireland) Regulations 2013 (SR 2013 No.160)
Administrative details
Application date
EHS/Chief Inspector
Application”)
25/07/14
reference
(“the
Permit WPPC 19/14
Permit number (the “Permit”)
P0457/14A
Applicant (the “Applicant”)
Renewable Power Systems (Northern
Ireland) Limited
Address/location of Installation(the “Installation”)
Aughrim Landfill Site
Flowbog Road
Lisburn
BT28 3TE
Name of Account Officer
Chris Eadie
Signature of Account Officer:
Name of Authorising Officer
Eugene Kelly
Signature of Authorising Officer:
All relevant documents have been sent to the IPPC Public Registers
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Purpose of this document
The Decision Document ("DD") explains how the Applicant’s Permit Application has been
determined and why the specific conditions in the Permit have been imposed. It is a record of
the decision-making process to show how all relevant factors have been taken into account.
This DD provides an explanation for the use of the conditions within the Permit.
Summary of the decision
We have decided to grant a Permit for the Applicant to operate the Installation, subject to the
conditions set out in the Permit. The conditions have been considered to be appropriate for the
Installation, in particular in taking account of the principle that all appropriate measures will be
taken against pollution and that no significant pollution will be caused. We consider that in our
decision to issue the Permit and in the conditions included therein, we have taken into account
all relevant considerations and legal requirements.
Description of the Permitted Installation
A non-technical summary of the activities covered by the Permit is contained within the
Application. There is also a description of the Installation included in the Introductory Note to
the Permit.
Definitions are the same as described in schedule 7 to the permit
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Part A – Introduction
A1 Administration
This section includes administrative information relating to the Application and information about
the Applicant and the Installation.
"Duly made" check on Application received
The Application was determined to be duly made on 18 August 2014.
Consultation on the Application
The Application was advertised by the Applicant on 12 September 2014 in the Ulster Star and
on 29 September 2014 in the Belfast Gazette.
We sent copies of the Application to the following statutory consultees in accordance with Part 2
of Schedule 4 to the PPC Regulations:

Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland;

The Planning Service

NIEA – Water Management Unit (WMU)

Lisburn City Council

Public Health Agency
We also sent copies of the Application to the following non-statutory consultees:

NIEA – Conservation Designations and Protection (CDP)

NIEA – Environmental Crime Unit

Health and Safety Executive (NI)
Consideration of consultation responses
Responses were received from the following statutory and non-statutory consultees:

Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland

Lisburn City Council

The Planning Service

NIEA - Conservation Designations and Protection (CDP)

NIEA – Water Management Unit

Health and Safety Executive (NI)

Public Health Agency
We have considered all responses in determining the Application. The ways in which material
responses have been taken into account are summarised in Appendix I to this document.
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Matters of commercial confidentiality or national security
The Operator made no claim for commercial confidentiality.
The Application was deemed duly made, but further information was required to enable us to
determine the Application. Further information was requested from the Applicant by letter as
follows:
Schedule 4 notice for additional information dated 20 August 2014
A Schedule 4 Notice was issued to the applicant requiring the applicant to provide the additional
information detailed below:

A clear plan of the site for use in Schedule 2 of the Permit was required.

Confirmation was needed to ensure the pipeline from Mullaghglass Landfill was included
within the site boundary.

Details regarding the design specifications of the pipeline from Mullaghlass Landfill. Details
of any knock out pots, booster pumps and/or compressors were also required.

Copies of COTC certificates were requested.

An expenditure plan was also requested to satisfy financial provision for waste
management.

Details regarding the backup flares including type, model and capacities were requested.

An assessment of the groundwater and soil in order to comply with Environment Agency H5
Guidance was requested.

Copies of all planning permissions were required.
The applicant responded on the 13 October 2014 and provided the following:

Plans (Figure 1) showing the site layout were provided. The pipeline was included in this
drawing.

A CQA plan for the installation of the pipeline was provided. This also provided design
details for the pipeline between Mullaghglass Landfill and Aughrim Landfill. No additional
boosters or compressors were proposed.

As the site is under undertaking a waste activity COTC certificates are not required and
neither is there a need for financial provision. There is also therefore no need to comply with
Environment Agency H5 guidance.

Details regarding two flares were provided. One solely for Aughrim Landfill (400m³/hr) and
one larger one (1500m³/hr), solely for Mullaghglass Landfill.

Copies of the three planning permissions associated with the installation were provided.
(S/2009/0812/F; S/2013/0421/F; S/2013/0582/F)
A2
The Applicant
We are satisfied that the Applicant (now the Operator) is the person who will have control over
the operation of the Installation after the granting of the Permit. We are satisfied that they will be
able to operate the Installation so as to comply with the conditions we have included in the
Permit.
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A3
The Installation
Activities
We have determined that the Installation comprises the following activities listed in Part 1 of
Schedule 1 to the PPC Regulations and the following directly associated activities.
 Section 5.1 Part A(h). The incineration of a fuel manufactured from a waste in an appliance
with a rated thermal input over 3 megawatts.

Fuel storage
The principal activity and its directly associated activity described above together constitute the
Installation.
The Site
The Applicant provided a plan (Figure 1) which we consider is satisfactory for showing the site
of the Installation and its extent. This plan is included in the Permit as Schedule 2, and the
Operator is required to carry on the Permitted activities within the site boundary.
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The Permit Conditions
1. Management
1.1 General Management
Based upon the information submitted in the Application, we are satisfied that appropriate
management systems and management structures are in place for this Installation and that
sufficient financial, technical and manpower resource is available to the Operator to ensure
compliance with all the Permit conditions.
The condition requires the Operator to submit a site-specific Management Plan that will detail
the procedures to be used to undertake the Activities at the site. We consider that this is
necessary to ensure that we can effectively regulate the Installation. The Operator is required to
undertake the Activities in accordance with the Management Plan, however in order to ensure
that the Operator is able to amend their management of the site, the Management Plan can be
changed, subject to notification to and consent by the Chief Inspector.
1.2 Breach of permit conditions
This condition ensures that any breach of permit condition that has the potential to cause
environmental damage will result in that activity being suspended and NIEA informed.
1.3 Accidents
This permit condition requires that the Operator prepare and operate an appropriate accident
management plan in order that accidents that may cause pollution are minimised.
1.4 Finance
No financial provision is required for this operation.
1.5 Energy Efficiency
This condition ensures the operator reviews practices on site to maintain high standards of
energy efficiency.
1.6 Avoidance, recovery and disposal of wastes produced by the activities
This condition ensures the waste framework hierarchy is maintained.
1.7 Security
Condition 1.7.1 requires the Operator to provide site security that will prevent unauthorised
access to the site.
1.8 Multi-operator installation
This is not a multi-operator installation
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2. Operations
2.1 Permitted Installation and activities
Based upon the information submitted in the Application, we are satisfied that these are the
appropriate permitted Activities.
2.2 The site
Based on the information submitted in the Application, this condition defines the site of the
Permitted Installation.
2.3 Off-site conditions
There are no off-site conditions.
2.4 Commencement
This condition ensures that no activities will take place on site until the chief inspector has
inspected the site and given written agreement that activity can commence.
2.5 Pre-operational conditions
There are no pre-operational activities
2.6 Improvement programme
Based on the information submitted in the Application, we consider that the Operator must
undertake the requirements within Schedule 1, Table S1.3 in order to ensure the prevention
and/or minimisation of pollution.
2.7 Closure, aftercare and decommissioning.
Condition 2.7.1 requires that the decommissioning of the activities at the site to take precautions
to minimise the pollution.
2.8 System for the protection of soil and groundwater
Condition 2.8 ensures protection of the soil and groundwater around the site. This is also
reviewed throughout the lifecycle of the operation.
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3. Site infrastructure
3.1 Noticeboards
This condition requires the Operator to provide an appropriate noticeboard for the Installation.
3.2 Liquid Storage
This condition ensures any liquids stored on site are stored in such a manner as to minimise the
risk to the environment.
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4. Emissions and monitoring
4.1 Emissions to water air or land
On the basis of the details provided in the Application we are satisfied that the only emissions
from the Installation will be from the point sources identified within the Application.
4.2 Fugitive emissions of substances
On the basis of the details provided in the Application, we are satisfied that fugitive emissions
that may cause pollution are unlikely to occur. This condition requires the Operator to take
appropriate measures to prevent any such fugitive emissions from causing pollution.
4.3 Odour
This condition requires the Operator to take appropriate measures to prevent any odour at
levels likely to cause annoyance outside the site.
4.4 Noise and vibration
This condition requires the Operator to take appropriate measures to prevent any noise and/or
vibration at levels likely to cause annoyance outside the Site.
4.5 Monitoring
On the basis of the details provided in the Application and the conditions within the Permit, we
are satisfied that sufficient monitoring will be undertaken to satisfy the requirements of the
Regulations and ensure that the impact of the Installation upon the environment is suitably
measured. Monitoring is required for:
a) Point source emissions. Table S4.1 provides the emission limits and monitoring
requirements for the discharge points to air. The parameters and limits are in line with sector
guidance the frequencies of monitoring have been imposed in order to ensure prevention of
pollution of the air around the Installation.
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5. Information
5.1 Records
Based upon the information submitted in the Application, we are satisfied that appropriate
procedures are in place to ensure that records are kept. This condition sets the standards for
making and retaining records.
5.2 Reporting
This condition sets the requirements and standards for reporting to the Chief Inspector on the
performance of the Activities.
5.3 Notifications
This condition sets the requirements and standards for notifying the Chief Inspector of specific
events detailed within the condition.
5.4 Interpretation
This condition establishes that the expressions contained within Schedule 7 and used within the
Permit will have the meaning given in that Schedule.
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Schedule 1 - Operations
Table S1.1 Activities
Based upon the information submitted in the Application, we are satisfied that the listed and
directly associated activities detailed in this Table are those relevant to the Installation.
Table S1.2 Pre Operational Measures
Based upon the information submitted in the Application, we are satisfied that the requirements
within this Table are necessary prior to commencing operations to prevent and/or minimise
pollution and that they can be carried out by the due date.
Table S1.3 Improvement Programme Requirements
Based upon the information submitted in the Application, we are satisfied that the requirements
within this Table are necessary to prevent and/or minimise pollution and that they can be carried
out by the due date.
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Schedule 2 – Site plan
The site plan included here clearly shows the Installation boundary, outlined in red. The
Activities permitted by the Permit may only take place within this boundary.
Schedule 3 – Waste types, raw materials and fuels
Lists waste types and raw materials used on site.
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Schedule 4 – Emissions and monitoring
The Tables in this section list the limits and monitoring requirements detailed in the discussion
to condition 4.5.
Schedule 5 – Reporting
Table S5.1 Reporting of monitoring data
This Table details the reporting requirements for the monitoring that the Operator shall make
under the conditions of the Permit.
Table S5.2 Annual production / Treatment
This table requires the reporting of all production at treatment required by the site.
Table S5.3 Performance Parameters
This Table details the reporting requirements for the use at the Installation of water (potable and
non-potable) and energy.
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Schedule 6 – Notification
This Schedule details the information that the Operator must provide regarding any abnormal
operations that have caused, are causing or may cause significant pollution; for any breaches of
a limit or detection of any significant adverse environmental effect.
Schedule 7 – Interpretation
This Schedule provides interpretations of words or phrases used within the Permit.
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APPENDIX I – Consultee responses
A summary of consultation responses received and the way in which they have been taken in to
account in the determination process:
Response received Brief summary of issues raised
from
Summary of actions taken
or show how this has been
covered
Health and Safety
Executive (NI)
No Comments
No actions
NIEA – Conservation
Designations and
Protection (CDP)
Site limits shall be within statutory limits so
not to cause any impacts on the selection
features of the nearby Slievenacloy ASSI
Schedule 4 table S4.1 outlines
monitoring to be completed and the
acceptable limits.
Food Standards Agency
Northern Ireland
Providing the operator complies with
Technical Guidance Note S1.01
(Combustion Activities) and is operating
the site within benchmark emission limits, it
is unlikely that there will be any
unacceptable effects on the human food
chain.
Schedule 4 table S4.1 outlines
monitoring to be completed and the
acceptable limits.
Public Health Agency
If the applicant carries out all the
preventative measures as outlined in the
application then the public health affects
would be minimal and the Public Health
Agency would have no immediate
concerns regarding adverse health effects
of the facility.
The PPC Permit ensures the
operator carries out all preventative
measures as outlined in their
application.
Lisburn City Council
Lisburn City Council held no information
pertinent to the application. They also had
no concerns regarding the issue of PPC
permit for the site.
No actions
The Planning Service
Site has planning and any conditions
should be in line with such.
PPC Permit conditions do not
contradict any planning conditions
NIEA -Water Management
Unit
No comments or history relating to
installation.
No actions
No relevant convictions
No actions
NIEA
Crime
–
Environmental
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APPENDIX II –The Risk Assessments
The following paragraphs detail the findings of our technical reviews of the Risk Assessments
that accompanied the Application.
1. Site Report
The Site report adequately demonstrates that there is no pollution currently in the area of the
gas utilisation plant. Preventative measures to ensure no pollution occur are presented and
accepted by NIEA.
2. Noise Assessment
The noise assessment has been carried out in line with BS4142 method for rating industrial
noise and according to the WHO guidelines. The assessment shows that the predicted
contribution from the proposed plant will have no impact on the neighbouring properties.
End of Decision Document
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