Shipbreaking bid is investigated by environment body:

ENVIRONMENT Agency Wales is investigating a permit application for a shipbreaking and repairing firm, which is due to move into Swansea's dry docks next month.

The agency said the public can put forward their views on the application by Swansea Drydocks.

The company recently won a planning appeal which granted it a certificate to operate at the city's Prince of Wales dock, and said it intends to submit a new application to set up at nearby Phoenix Wharf.

It has said that it intends to invest £4 million at the dry docks and create 85 jobs, including welders and demolition engineers.

The firm's business development manager, Viv Sloan, said: "We will be making sure the business conforms to the requirements of the Environment Agency."

St Thomas councillor Alan Robinson said people in the area were encouraged about potential jobs, but concerned about shipbreaking activities.

"Around 80 per cent of people are against the shipbreaking," he said.

Swansea Drydocks, which is owned by an employee of scrap metal firm Dunn Brothers, plans to offer a "cradle to grave" service to shipping firms. Potential clients include the Ministry of Defence, which has said it is impressed with the company's plans.

Swansea Drydocks said laws on where ships can be dismantled are being tightened, with pressure on EU Governments to recycle naval vessels close to home.

Environment Agency Wales will investigate the proposed activities at the dry docks to see if they pose a risk to people and the environment.

Officers will seek information and specialist advice from other organisations before making their decision. They will not consider granting an environmental permit if their investigation proves that it will cause harm.

If the application does meet the criteria, they will insist on strict operating standards and procedures that will be enforced throughout the life of the business.

The agency said the permit application includes the removal of low level radioactive substances.

Swansea Drydocks has told the Post such material related only to onboard equipment such as emergency signs and smoke detectors, which are sources of very low level radioactivity.

Hamish Osborn, of Environment Agency Wales, said: "We are currently investigating what work they plan to do at the site to make sure that it complies with the relevant rules and regulations.

"If we do grant a permit, it will make sure that any work they plan to do will be done in line with the highest environmental standards to protect the surrounding environment and local people."

He added: "All materials from the site will be subject to the most stringent of rules on how they must be treated."

Source: By Richard Youle. Saturday, March 05, 2011

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