Yemen urgently needs a ceasefire, a political settlement and food aid – Emily Thornberry

Emily Thornberry MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, responding to the
publication of a UN report showing that Yemen has moved closer to famine, said:

“Yemen urgently needs a ceasefire, a
political settlement, and food aid. It does not need more bombing.

“Britain must stop selling billions of
pounds’ worth of arms to Saudi Arabia. This is only prolonging the conflict. We
are providing the means for the Saudis to continue a war which has been shown
to include the aerial bombardment of farming land, fishing boats, and ports
that provide access for desperately-needed humanitarian aid.”



Airspace Consultation

I recently wrote to the Transport Secretary to request a consultation event on airspace changes should be held in Wokingham. I have now received the enclosed reply from the Secretary of State.



Press release: Public consultation for Rivenhall incinerator

Two drop-in sessions are being held in Coggeshall and Silver End to explain and discuss a proposal for an Integrated Waste Management Facility on the former Rivenhall Airfield site in Essex.

Following the Environment Agency’s decision in December 2016 to refuse Gent Fairhead & Co. Ltd’s application for an Environmental Permit to operate the facility, they have submitted a new application.

Environment Agency staff will be at public drop-ins to discuss the proposals with people and explain their role in permitting and regulating this type of facility. The sessions are:

Monday 20 March, 2pm to 7pm, Silver End Village Hall, Broadway, Silver End CM8 3RQ

Friday 31 March, 2pm to 7pm, Christ Church, Stoneham Street, Coggeshall CO6 1UH

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.

An Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency needs to be in place before the plant can start operating. Environmental Permits contain specific conditions and emission limits that must be complied with while the plant is operating.

The Environment Agency’s role is to consider the environmental impacts the plant could have on human health, air, water, land, habitats and species of animals and plants. It also looks at noise levels, energy efficiency and the sustainability of the plant.

The first application was refused last year because the company had failed to demonstrate that the design of the waste plant would use Best Available Techniques (BAT) to reduce emissions and their impact on the environment. In particular, the company failed to demonstrate that the proposed incinerator stack height was BAT.

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.

The consultation period on this permit application started on 9 March and closes on 13 April 2017.

At the drop-ins people will be able to see the full application and make comments on it.

Further copies of the application (EPR/FP3335YU/A001) will be available at the Environment Agency offices, Threshelfords Business Park, Inworth Road, Kelvedon CO5 9SE, as well as the public libraries in Coggeshall and Kelvedon.

It is also available on GOV.UK:here

Comments on the permit application should be sent to the Environment Agency’s National Permitting Service in Sheffield at either the postal or email address below, or submitted online here

Environment Agency, Permitting and Support Centre, Land Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue
Sheffield S9 4WF

Or by email: pscpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk



Two EU backed property development funds set to create £40m infrastructure boost for West Wales and the Valleys

The £7m Property for Business Development Grant Fund (PBDG) and the £7m Property Infrastructure Fund (PIF) are each expected to attract £13m of private sector investment and geared to stimulate the market to meet the needs of businesses.

Both Funds aim to bridge the financial viability gap that exists in parts of Wales between the cost of building, expanding or refurbishing properties and the completed market value of the property.

It is expected that together the schemes will deliver around 51,100m2 (550,000sq.ft.) of new and refurbished floor space in areas that will provide tangible benefits to local economies, address market needs and support business growth.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: 

“We know that private developers and businesses are reluctant to invest in some geographical areas simply because the cost of building or refurbishing a property is more than the end value of that property.

“These two new schemes, backed by EU funds, are geared to address this specific issue and will provide a significant investment boost. The grant support will stimulate the market, create new high quality industrial space and offices to accommodate jobs and meet the needs of business.”

Both funds are for new build and refurbishments/extensions/adaptions with the Property Infrastructure Fund aimed specifically at advance build developments and the Property for Business Development Grant Fund targeted at supporting businesses with bespoke expansion projects. The overall grant intervention rate for both Funds is 35%.

The successful projects, selected in conjunction with the regional stakeholders across Wales, will be those that achieve best value for money and create the greatest economic impact. The primary focus will be on projects in Enterprise Zones, Local Growth Zones and City Regions. 

Stage 1 Applications, providing brief information on the project requiring support, will need to be submitted by the 30 April 2017 in order to be considered for a provisional allocation of funding. 

For more information and an application form for businesses interested in the Property for Business Development Grant or developers interested in the Property Infrastructure Fund to support advance build development should email gde.pdg@wales.gsi.gov.uk.



Free advice service for landlords

A new telephone advice service is available for private landlords. The service is free and offers information in confidence