Permit 'likely' for new countryside landfill site

The site at Lower Hare farm already has planning permission

A permit to create a landfill site in countryside near Exeter is "likely" to be issued.

The Environment Agency said the operator GRS Stone Supplies Ltd had provided all of the necessary information to get an environmental permit for the site at Whitestone.

The site was granted planning permission by Devon County Council in December 2020.

The Environment Agency has now launched a "final consultation" with the public with a permit set to be issued "unless new information gives a reason not to".

The Environment Agency says a permit is likely to be issued for a landfill site at Whitestone near Exeter

The Environment Agency said two previous public consultations received a good deal of interest, resulting in the site being declared as one of "high public interest".

The environmental permit covers the management and operations of the site and monitoring of emissions.

Issues such as the suitability of the site, operating hours and traffic management are matters for the planning authority - Devon County Council - rather than the Environment Agency.

The consultation will run until 10 March with a review of all comments received before a final decision is made.