Meeting 29 July 2026     Minutes

Present:  Environment Agency : Gary Wallace, Paul Whitehill 

SVRA: Angela Silk, Christine Brown, Pauline Cooper, Liz Reid, Lynne McKevitt, Ali Nairn, Keith Nairn, Deborah Gallagher, Lesley Pickup, Chris Green

 Ian Lowes – Eighton Banks  

1. There has been a significant expansion of activities and on the site and traffic movement and a considerable increase in reported incidents (complaints) since April 2026.

2. Sites are categorised on an annual basis.  The site was designated Category D in 2025 (Cat A would be a site performing well on environmental issues – Cat F failing to meet standards and EA usually engaged in some form of regulatory enforcement such as  permit suspension) – so this year it is a priority of the EA to monitor and enforce

DUST

3. Ashcourt/Thompsons has a current approved dust management plan however it has been identified it is lacking in some areas and the EA have requested that Thompsons submit an updated version addressing some highlighted issues however so far revisions have been unacceptable.  That, and the complaints, have resulted in the EA installing a Dust Monitor at Bowes to detect and analyse dust.  The EA can re-site the monitor – anyone happy for this to be sited on their property should tell the EA.  it needs a power source (costs reimbursed). EA also happy to show people around the monitor in small groups and explain how it works. 

4. More rudimentary dust monitoring by ‘frisbee’ type monitors is being done around Railway Close.  Results did not reveal high volumes before Ashcourt took over

5. Results of dust monitoring get compared to World Health Organisation standards and local air quality management (LAQM) objective standards. 

GENERAL

6. There have been more reported incidents since the demolition of the Gateshead flyover began.

7. Aggregate is being created – there is sampling to ensure compliance with a quality protocol. 

8. Segregation of waste seems to be working but there are areas of disagreement .

1. A Reg 36 notice failed – so Ashcourt were invited to a voluntary interview under caution however declined to attend  – preferring to deal with this through prepared statements.
2. A Reg 37 enforcement notice could be considered and could result in suspension of permit 
3. The height of the mound is a concern – there is no limit within the permit against which to enforce.  But EA working on getting it reduced. And working on containing the stockpiles within the permitted area of the site

9. Enforcement is a speciality within the EA team. 

10. The EA legal team is dealing with suspected criminal offences 

On the plus side:

11. EA officers have scrutinised asbestos removal from Gateshead flyover waste – satisfied none is coming from there to Springwell quarry.

12. Ashcourt claims:

i. some waste is being diverted to another Ashcourt site to reduce the effects of storing more material on stockpiles

ii. the three crushers have been reduced to one

iii. Water suppressant is being used more often

iv. Traffic has been reduced from 190 to 90-95 loads per day – 7-10 loads per day   

       go straight into washing plant

13. EA officers regularly monitor, often visiting unannounced multiple times per week and they can react quickly when they receive reports of serious incidents.

14. EA does not consult on variations to permits unless there is high public interest- variations categorised at Admin, Minor, Normal, Substantial (EA would consult on a substantial variation)

15. It is entirely Ashcourt’s responsibility to comply with planning conditions/requirements – it is possible for EA to issue a permit without a planning permission being in place

16. The EA does not deal with planning matters – so the issue of the concrete manufacturing plant, which currently does not have permission and any other non-compliance with planning conditions, will be dealt with by the Council.

17.The police are dealing with damage to wildlife habitats – any future reports will be 

       passed on to them.  

18.The EA welcomes all calls and emails and whilst they are unable to reply to each 

       individual concern they will respond to us collectively by producing their news     

        bulletin and are willing to attend future SVRA meetings

AIR QUALITY 

19.Is compared against UK averages – see separate comparative report – Seaton Carew

NATURAL ENGLAND

19. There has been a Cat 2 breach – destroyed natural habitats and waste outside of 

        the permitted area

EA would like to attend residents meeting alongside Council – SVRA to arrange

IMPORTANT: incidents – dust, noise, damage to wildlife habitats, height of mounds – anything that affects local amenity and/or health – should be reported every time with date, time.  

northeast-newcastle@environment-agency.gov.uk

enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Telephone: 0800 80 70 60