Shotton Paper Mill - Draft Decision Consultation

Overview

Shotton Mill Limited have submitted an application to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to change its environmental permit for Shotton Paper Mill (permit number EPR/BT4885IT).

This change, termed a ‘variation’, is a legal requirement under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2016. 

We have assessed the proposed changes and are minded to issue the permit variation. We are seeking your comments on the draft permit.

Application Details

Application Reference: PAN-029803 (EPR/BT4885IT/V015)

Regulated facility location: Shotton Paper Mill, Weighbridge Road, Shotton, Deeside, Flintshire, CH5 2LW

Regulated facility type:

• Primary Activity: Installation - Schedule 1 Activity   Section 6.1, Part A(1)(b) – producing in an industrial plant, paper and board where the plant has a production capacity of more than 20 tonnes per day.
• Section 1.1, Part A(1)(a) – burning any fuel in an appliance with a rated thermal input of 50MW or more.
• Section 5.1, Part A(1)(b) – the incineration of non-hazardous waste in an incineration or co-incineration plant in a facility with a capacity exceeding 3 tonnes per hour.
• Section 5.4, Part A(1)(a)(i) – disposal of non-hazardous waste in a facility exceeding 50 tonnes per day by biological treatment.

The variation will change the permit to reflect the change of the site’s production from newspaper print to the production of containerboard from recycled fibre (750,000 tonnes per annum) and tissue paper from a mix recycled fibre and virgin fibre (70,000 tonnes per annual).

The changes in production will result in the following changes to the permit;

• Inclusion of a new paper machine (PM3) for cardboard production and the tissue mill for the production of tissue paper. This includes associated processes such as the dryers, acceptance and handling of waste paper and virgin bales
• Changes to the effluent treatment plant (ETP) including the addition of an anaerobic digestion plant for the treatment of effluent from the paper processing. The gas generated from the anaerobic digestion is used as fuel for two biogas engines (5.8 MWth each).
• The addition of a new combined heat and power plant which comprises of 2 x 64MWth gas turbines (each equipped with a 75 metre hight stack) and a backup boiler (comprising of 2 x 68 MWth boiler through a single emission stack). The gas turbines and backup boiler are subject to Chapter III of the industrial emissions directive.
• Removal of the existing equipment from the permit associated with the old newspaper print production including paper machines (PM1 and PM2) the deinking plant and the old boilers (boilers 3 and 6 (38 MWth and 45 MWth)).

Our draft decision

We are minded to issue the permit variation. We will only issue a permit variation if we believe that significant pollution will not be caused, and the operator has the ability to meet the conditions of the permit.

The permit includes appropriate conditions to protect human health and the environment. 

Why your views matter  

This is your opportunity to review our draft decision and submit your comments. We will take all relevant responses into account before we make our final decision on the permit application. 

Please see Natural Resources Wales / Public participation: how you can take part in our permit and licence consultations for more information on how we consult and what matters are within our regulatory remit.  

You can view the following draft documents using the links below:

• Draft Permit
• Draft Variation Notice
• Draft Decision document

They are also available on our online public register.

You can submit your comments using the online consultation link below. If you have any issues submitting your comments, you can send your comments to us by email to permittingconsultations@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.