Correspondence on file with Albright and Wilson reference planning application DC/03/40538

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council did not have the information requested.

Dear Sandwell Borough Council,

I am writing to make an open government request for all the
information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act and the environmental information regulations.

In order to assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as possible.

If however this request is too wide or too unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.

Concerning the above planning application, on Sandwell council's public access system a file concerning "Albright and Wilson correspondence" http_planapps.sandwell.gov.uk_WAM_doc_correspondence-190228.pdf_extension=, lists a letter from then health and safety manager, Mr Frances Michael Peters to a Mr D. Whitford of The Hazardous Waste unit dated 10th October 1989 concerning a phosphorus fire at Rattlechain lagoon.
The letter describes “investigation at the scene indicated that the fire was caused by traces of phosphorus contained in contaminated soil close to the edge of the main lagoon”.
It continues “An excavator was brought to the site, and this was used to skim off the surface of the soil close to the lagoon and drop the contaminated material into the lagoon.”
Furthermore it goes on to say “it is apparent from this chain of events that we need to ensure that if any material containing traces of phosphorus is spilled onto the surface of the land area for any reason, we quickly excavate and ensure that all contaminated material is submerged beneath the water of the lagoon.”
Given that you were able to retrieve this document from your files, and notwithstanding that it may be 21 years ago, do you have on file and can you provide to me by electronic means the subsequent reply from Mr D. Whitford to this letter from Albright and Wilson, which indicates whether this arrangement was considered to be satisfactory.
I take it that if no letter exists or was not replied to then this scenario concerning the burial of highly toxic material WAS considered to be satisfactory at this time.

I understand that under the act, I should be entitled to a response within 20 working days.
I would be grateful if you could confirm that you have received this request. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Carroll

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Thank you for contacting Sandwell Council.

Your request has been passed to the relevant service area, who will contact you shortly.

Please quote your reference number INT1-126417676 on all future correspondence.

Regards

Corporate Contact Centre
Customer Services
Transform Sandwell

www.sandwell.gov.uk

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Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

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Please find attached a letter from Sandwell Council in response to your recent contact.

This letter will advise you of the timescales for response and will provide our contact details should you need to get in touch.

If you cannot open the attachment please download the FREE adobe reader that can be found at www.adobe.com
Please do not reply to this e-mail but instead use the contact details found in the letter.

Alison Duffy, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

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Mr Carroll

Regarding your recent telephone conversation with John Baylay, I have
attached our reply to your enquiry. Hope this helps.

Alison

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