Fits and starts - Sustain Wiltshire

As we have now become accustomed, progress on the Sustain Super-Midden continues in fits and starts, largely due to external forces and bureaucracy. There has been frustration, yes, but notable progress too.

As you may remember, we submitted our advanced pre-application to the Environment Agency (EA) back in October. Within this, we sought advice on the appropriate permitting route to enable progress on our innovative approach to recycling.

On 10th January, over two months later, we finally received a response. This asked many questions; some of which were inappropriate for the current stage of the project. For the cynical, this could be viewed as yet another tactic to slow progress on the Super-Midden, or to sidestep the provision of much-needed advice.

Despite this, we dutifully answered the questions and, on the 22nd January, promptly received the authorisation for the EA to provide advice, alongside a bill for £1,200!

The positive news is that we will now be able to discuss the project with the EA in detail resulting – we hope – in the receipt of guidance on the necessary permits that need to be in place.

So, it appears that on this occasion the cynics were wrong. Things are now moving ahead. For this, we owe a big debt of gratitude to the EA team. As strange as it sounds, you need to be brave in the Civil Service to get involved in anything new or challenging. It would appear that the Super-Midden ticks both boxes.