We thought that it might be useful to list here some of what was covered at these important meetings designed to both give concerned members of the public a part in discussions relating to developments at Castle Cement's Padeswood plant and to allow the company to achieve its stated goal "to set up dialogue with the local community".

It is also part of the IPPC licencing requirement that extensive public consulatation be undertaken.

Where CANK has added its own observations, the comments will be italicised

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Key Points
    Objectives
    Mr Allan (Castle Padeswood General Manager) wanted a dialogue with the community and wanted it clearly understood that the company is making claims of a
    reduction in emissions.

    Critical Success Factors
    The criteria by which the Liason Meeting's success may be judged.
    These are to be submitted and agreed over the next few meetings.

    Health
    Mr Allan  said there are schemes in place to reduce dioxin emissions. A full report will be made at the next meeting.

    The need for a full baseline health study of the area surrounding the plant was re-emphasised.

    Other
    Press enquiries  to go through the chair.

Key Points
    Press Access to Meetings
    It was agreed that the the press should be allowed full access to all meetings.

    EA's 119 Questions(requires a Microsoft Word Reader)
    Castle's reply is now on the public record and is available on CD-ROM (CANK will provide free copies on request).

    Cemfuel
    Discussion with the SRM representative on the actual make-up of Cemfuel and the effectiveness with which it is monitored.
    More detailed discussion deferred to a later meeting.

    Waste Routes
    The SRM rep and the EA emphatically stated that waste from international sources was unlikely to be routed through Eire.

    Health
    Would need an extensive discussion with a representative of the Area Health Authority in attendance. (Dr Roberts has not been at the first two meetings).

    Dioxin Reduction
    A presentation from Castle on the remedial works (cost-to-date £250,000)  they are carrying out to urgently reduce dioxin emissions from the existing plant.
    Now down from 2.38 ng/Nm3 to 2.01Ng/Nm3 (the EA 'safe' limit is 0.1ng/Nm3), Castle's target is to reduce emissions to 0.1 ng/Nm3 within a very short
    timescale (significant reductions by the next Liason Meeting on 29th July).
    The EA said that they believed this target was attainable.
        This reduction is to be achieved by:
        Substituting 50% of the shale from the Llay tip with PFA (Pulverised Fly Ash - not from incinerators)

        Installing a quenching process designed to rapidly cool some of  the kiln exhaust gases below 250C (dioxins are typically formed above between 250C and
        400C).

    Such a 95% reduction would be a most welcome first step. Also the EA's statement that their general goal was to set initial emission limits and
    then force them  down.

   Castle's recent appeal against EA conditions was also discussed. Mr  Allan reiterating that all Castle wanted was a 'level playing field' with regard to dioxin
    measurements but the point was made that perhaps that could be looked at once their emissions had parity with other companies plants - currently,
    Padeswood emits 6 times the dioxins of the nearest, non-Castle, plant.
    The EA supported this view.
    It was also pointed out that, provided emissions were within limits, then Castle would have no need to object to an increased level of measurement.

    Discussion about the AMESA system with the EA making the valid point that it is not a truly continious dioxin measuring system but rather gives an average
    picture over  the sample period. The point was made that, given the toxicity of these substances, an averaging system was regarded a good interim step until a
    truly continious monitoring system became available and was essential to keep a watching brief over stack emissions on a company with a less than perfect
    environmental history..
    There was evident concern amongst the public present that pre-arranged dioxin measurements were clearly unsatisfactory, given the obvious conflict of interest.
    The EA made the point that they would also monitor the characteristics of the process (temperatures; quenching water useage etc) that dictated the rate of dioxin
    formation, on a regular basis.
    It was felt that this is reassuring PROVIDED such data and instrumentation is not capable of being tampered with so that the readings obtained are accurate.

    Plant Noise
    This is clearly an area of general concern. At times, the plant already generates an uncomfortable low-frequency hum at night to the extent that residents'
    windows cannot be left open.
    Anecdotal evidence from Castle's Ketton plant suggests that this problem may worsen as tyre burning is introduced.

    Regulation of Hazardous Waste
    Castle suggested that the quanities of hazardous substances stored on site  meant that Padeswood would be exempt from formal regulations.
    The EA, however, stated that hazardous waste handling will be embraced under  IPPC.

    Critical Success Factors
    It was agreed that participants will come to the next meeting at the end of July with suggestions for the criteria by which the success of the Liason Meetings will be
    judged.
    Recommendations put forward, so far, are:
           By the EA
            Plant meets emission limits in every respect;
            Kiln 4 emissions are lower than for the existing plant;
            Castle set up an air quality monitoring station;
                Air quality monitoring shows no breaches of standards;
                Concern was expressed about the EA's action should limits be breached with the common practice of granting variation orders to move the
                goalposts to compliance, not being used.
                A 'line should be drawn in the sand'.
            No detectable odours
            Reduction on the number of fugitive emissions.

       By Others
            A Baseline Health Study

Mext Meeting
            Monday 29th July - Castle Cement - 7pm
            These meeting are open to members of the public.
            Alternatively, if you have any general issue which you would like us to bear in mind, please let us know.