17 December 2003 – Mr Justice Sullivan's decision that the planning permission for Able UK's TERRC site does not include the dismantling of ships will have no impact on the site's existing Waste Management Licence (WML), the Environment Agency confirmed today (Tuesday, December 16).

The Agency's priority, as always, is to ensure the environment is protected and this is achieved by conditions imposed by the Agency on Able UK which prevent the company dismantling ships. The decision in the High Court today has no bearing on this status.

Current legislation dictates that no new Waste Management Licence can be issued without the relevant planning permission in place.

Craig McGarvey the Agency's Area Manager said, "If Able UK decides to submit an application for a new Waste Management Licence, we can start the process of looking at it straight away. However, we could not make any decision about whether to grant the licence without planning permission in place.

"This means that Able UK will have to apply for and receive planning permission for the dismantling of ships from Hartlepool Borough Council before any new Waste Management Licence for ship dismantling could be granted."

On comments made during yesterday's high court hearing, Craig said, "The Environment Agency did carry out an environmental assessment, based on the information provided about the ships being dismantled in a dry dock. It is not the case that no environmental assessment at all was made.

"The Agency constantly reviews its processes and procedures and will consider any feedback resulting from this case."