Environment Agency Grants Permit for Teesside Waste Incinerator

The Environment Agency has granted an environmental permit for the Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility (TVERF), a waste incinerator planned at Teesworks near Grangetown, Redcar, enabling it to burn 450,000 tonnes of residual waste annually from several north-east England local authorities. Despite opposition from campaigners concerned about health and environmental impacts, the permit was issued after public consultations and the operator, Viridor, demonstrated compliance with strict legal conditions designed to protect the environment, human health, and wildlife. Ian Preston, Installations Team Leader at the Environment Agency, emphasized that the permit ensures robust environmental protections and that the agency is legally obligated to issue permits if all regulatory requirements are met. The facility aims to provide a safe, sustainable, and reliable method for managing residual waste in the region, with planning permission already secured and operations expected to start around late 2029. Critics argue for alternative waste management methods such as recycling, but local authorities have indicated limited affordable options beyond incineration. The Environment Agency retains enforcement powers to ensure ongoing compliance, including the ability to suspend or revoke permits if conditions are not met.