Notice: DN22 0EP, Island Gas Limited: environmental permit application advertisement

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • how you can view the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)


Notice: LE12 6RQ, Island Gas Limited: environmental permit application advertisement

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • how you can view the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)


Notice: RG7 4PR, AWE plc: environmental permit application advertisement EPR/QB3535DR/V003

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for Radioactive Substances Activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • which Environment Agency office you can visit to see the application documents on the public register
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)


World news story: British Ambassador Visits Project for the Protection of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve

The Ambassador met with representatives of the National Forestry Institute (INAB), the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), the environmental police (DIPRONA), the Ministry of Agriculture (MAGA) and other local and international partners that are working with the UK Space Agency (UKSA) in implementing this new technology.

The project uses space technology such as remote sensors and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to monitor Guatemala’s forests from space through the use of an application installed in cell phones or tablets.

Deforestation, fires, extensive cattle ranching and ungovernability are some of the threats to the Mayan Biosphere Reserve (MBR), where the project will provide its first results. The programme seeks to gather evidence using information from space technology to help the authorities in the decision making process of forest administration and in the fight against illegal exploitation of resources.

Among other benefits that this project will have, is the strengthening of human resources, the use of software and technological equipment, and technological innovation to fulfil the institutional functions of the sector. As a result it is expected this will provide greater transparency in the forestry sector and hence attract foreign investments.

Later, Ambassador Davidson travelled to the Wildlife Conservation and Rescue Association (ARCAS) to take a tour of its facilities and learn about some of the schemes used to protect the MBR. Among these is an Environmental Education Centre, which will receive funds from the project, to sensitize local and foreign students and visitors about the problems of the MBR.

The project FMAP (Forestry Management and Protection) is scheduled to last 3 years starting from December 2016 with an investment of some Q50 million that will also cover areas of Alta and Baja Verapaz.

To mark her visit to Petén, Ambassador Carolyn Davidson said:

The United Kingdom is very clear that climate change is a global threat, not only for issues of conservation and preservation of natural resources, but also as an element of impact on the national security of countries. We wish the project success.



News story: First MoT test to remain at 3 years to protect road safety

Ministers put road safety first as they today (18 January 2017) decided to maintain the period before a car’s first MoT test at 3 years.

The move comes after a Department for Transport consultation last year to consider changing the wait before the first test to 4 years.

Most of those responding to the consultation were against the proposals on safety grounds, arguing that the savings to motorists were outweighed by the risk to road users and the test often highlights upcoming issues affecting the vehicle. A public survey for DfT by Populus also showed fewer than half of people were in favour of the change.

Roads Minister Jesse Norman said:

We have some of the safest roads in the world, and are always looking at ways of making them safer.

Although modern cars are better built and safer than when the MoT test was last changed 50 years ago, there has been a clear public concern that any further changes don’t put people’s lives at risk.

We are looking at further research to ensure the MoT test evolves with the demands of modern motoring.

By law, all vehicles must be roadworthy, regardless of whether they have passed an MoT, and the content of the tests will not be changed.

The test was introduced in 1960, requiring vehicles to undergo a first check after 10 years. It was changed in 1967 to 3 years.

In 2016 (the most recent figures available), more than 2.4 million cars had their first MoT test, which costs owners a maximum of £54.85. The pass rate was about 85% and the most common reasons for failure include lighting, tyres and braking faults.

Changing the time period until the first test would have saved motorists more than £100 million a year.