Appeal hearing set to take place over revoked permit for Reclamet in Birchington

An appeal against the  revocation of an environmental permit at vehicle recycling business Reclamet in Birchington will be heard next week.

In March 2025 the Environment Agency (EA) served a Notice of Revocation with effect from 22 April 2025 citing a breach of permit conditions because of significant noise pollution and failing to identify appropriate measures to prevent or minimise the noise.

Reclamet made an appeal against the Notice to the Planning Inspectorate to be heard by way of a Public Inquiry.

The notice was served after complaints, including from neighbouring Nelson Park Riding Centre, initially made to Thanet council, dating back to 2020.

‘Horses spooked’

At a meeting with the EA, Thanet council, the residents of Nelson Park Riding Centre, Parish Councillors and a representative from the British Horse Society, the riding centre owners said “the noise was disturbing the residents within their home as well as the ability of the customers/staff to carry out day to day activities associated with the running and management of the riding centre.

“The noise impacting the ability of the riders to hear the instructors during lessons, the horses being spooked by sudden crashes and bags of metal being dropped, putting riders and vets/farriers at risk of injury, and the concern of the noise affecting the welfare of the horses and the pleasure of the activity for customers and staff.”

Complaints and site visits continued throughout that year and the EA requested a plan from Reclamet to reduce noise pollution.

By 2024, further EA visits recorded contamination at Reclamet with escaping oil, disputes over the level of noise and the EA refusing the Reclamet noise reduction plan.

Last year the EA revoked Reclamet’s permit saying “the noise levels are such that there appear to be no appropriate measures which would be sufficient to prevent or minimize the noise and vibration to an acceptable level.”

The EA said the noise level was “causing both a serious and widespread effect on human senses and causing a major adverse effect on recreation activity.”

‘Move site’

The EA adds: “The site operations largely consist of mobile plant that could easily be moved to a more suitable site.

“The location is largely rural, with poor access, with this single isolated industry utterly dominating the acoustic environment.

“A different site that is less rural and more spacious would be more suitable for this type of operation, and moving the existing equipment would be both economically sustainable and support our duty for growth.

“If the operator is not willing to move to a new site, there are other sites in the area that have capacity to take and process this material.”

‘No adverse effects’

Reclamet has disputed these claims. The firm, which has operated from the site in one form or another since the 1960s, says there have been no permit breaches and the assessment of a ‘major’ pollution incident is incorrect.

Reclamet, which has 65 employees at the site, says it has submitted a plan to rearrange the layout of the car racks that run alongside the northern boundary and increase their length and to then attach two new 6m high solid screens to these to form an effective double barrier, screening offsite receptors from Reclamet noise, meaning “noise from Reclamet would result in no adverse effects at any nearby noise sensitive receptor.”

The firm’s appeal papers add: “The site has operated as an industrial unit for over half a century and has operated in its current use for over two decades. The noise emitted from the site has formed part of the character of the area for decades.

“Certainly, the site has been fully operational long before the riding centre and associated dwelling…were established.

“The Agency fundamentally fail to recognise the established character of the area, which has developed partly due to the site’s planning permission and designation as a safeguarded waste site.

“Whilst it is recognised that this does not give the site carte blanche authority to emit any level of noise, it should be recognised as a “critical” factor in determining whether there has been unacceptable noise or not.”

Reclamet’s appeal says the site only operates in normal business hours and there have been no complaints from the other two residential sites close to the yard.

It adds that the ‘economic damage’ of closure is ‘inappropriate and unnecessary.’

Support and objections

The appeal papers contain expressions of support for Reclamet from employees, who fear losing their jobs, and neighbouring properties.

There is also support from Helix AV, RAF Manston History Museum and Birchington Parish Council.

In support of the EA decision to revoke the permit are letters from Thanet council, numerous staff and clients from Nelson Park, nearby residents including another owner of horses and MP Sir Roger Gale.

Public Inquiry

The public inquiry takes place from 20 -22 May  at the Darwin Suite, University of Kent at Canterbury and the public are permitted to attend.

If you are disabled and concerned about facilities at the inquiry venue, contact Jon Griffin at the Environment Agency (telephone 02084 747436) to confirm that suitable provisions are in place.