Dear Croydon Borough Council,

Please direct to the appropriate department, presumably Environmental Health to provide information regarding the following business:

London Cement Purley
(Aggregate Industries)
Station Yard
Approach Road
Purley
CR8 2AL

1. Can you provide air quality readings for surrounding properties of the London Cement Plant Purley January 2003 to date.

2. How many complaints against London Cement Purley, which have resulted in violating air quality regulations between the dates of January 2003 to date.

3. If London Cement Purley has violated air quality regulations, what dates are those violations and what action was taken.

4. Can you provide the readings and any additional information of any such violations.

5. Are regular air quality checks and carried out by the Council, if so can I have the dates and what were the checks (including any Environmental Checklist for Cement Plants).

6. Please provide any other relevant information regarding air pollution breaches.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew White

Dear [email address],

Apologies for any confusion.

Please provide the information for questions 1 - 6 regarding the following business:
"London Concrete Ltd (Purley).
"London Concrete Purley".
"London Concrete"

Please use the address and postcode provided to form part of any search and to verify the business name.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew White

Dear [email address],

Point 1 -
i. Can I see a copy of the part B permit which will list the conditions.?

ii. Under LAPPC, the legislation requires permits to be reviewed periodically, can you advise when the permit was and/or is going to be reviewed and can I see the records of this?

iii. Will conditions be reviewed where a complaint is attributable to the operation of the process and is, in the opinion of the regulator justified? Note I will be lodging a complaint.

iv. The operator should keep records of inspections, tests and monitoring, including all non-continuous monitoring, inspections and visual assessments. Records, do you have a record these?

v. Best available techniques are required to control dust emissions, for example, from reception and storage
of cement and other potentially dusty materials, internal transportation (whether by pneumatic means, in
vehicles, front loaders or on conveyors), processing, loading and unloading. Potential fugitive emissions, which are those from non-contained sources such as roads and other surfaces, also need to be controlled, can you confirm you have records of these?

Note: Some of the above may relate to point 5 and point 6.

Point 5 - I do not see any attachments?

Yours sincerely,

Andrew White

Dear [email address],

In addition to my previous message, I believe the council should also record air quality readings for a cement plant
1. Regulatory Compliance
- Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR): Cement plants are typically regulated under the EPR, which require operators to control emissions and monitor air quality. The council, as part of local government, may have a role in ensuring compliance with these regulations.
- Local Air Quality Management (LAQM): Under the LAQM framework, councils are required to monitor air quality in their areas and take action if national air quality objectives are not met. A cement plant could be a significant source of pollutants like particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), making regular monitoring essential.

2. Public Health Protection
- Impact on Health: Emissions from cement plants can contain hazardous pollutants that affect respiratory health, contribute to cardiovascular diseases, and exacerbate conditions like asthma. Monitoring air quality helps to assess the impact of the cement plant on the health of the local population and allows the council to take action if pollutant levels are too high.
- Transparency and Accountability: Recording air quality data ensures that the cement plant is held accountable for its environmental impact and that the local community is informed about the air quality they are exposed to.

3. Environmental Impact
- Impact on the Environment: Cement plants can contribute to environmental degradation through the release of pollutants that can affect soil, water, and biodiversity. Regular air quality monitoring can help assess the broader environmental impact of the plant and guide the implementation of mitigation measures.
- Climate Change: Cement production is a significant source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Monitoring air quality can help in tracking greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the council's broader climate action plans.

4. Community Concerns
- Addressing Public Complaints: Local residents often express concerns about the air quality near industrial sites like cement plants. Regular air quality monitoring allows the council to address these concerns with data-driven responses and, if necessary, take action to mitigate any negative impacts.
- Community Engagement: Providing access to air quality data can foster better relationships between the cement plant, the council, and the local community, ensuring that all parties are informed and can contribute to discussions about environmental management.

5. Legal Obligations
- Duty of Care: The council has a duty of care to protect the environment and public health. Monitoring air quality is a key component of fulfilling this responsibility, especially in areas where industrial activities like cement production are present.
- Legal Action: Should the cement plant exceed permitted emission levels, the council may need to take legal action. Having recorded air quality data will be crucial evidence in such cases.

6. Continuous Improvement
- Environmental Improvements: Regular monitoring can identify trends and areas for improvement, helping the cement plant to implement best practices and reduce its environmental footprint over time.
- Innovation and Technology: Monitoring air quality encourages the adoption of cleaner technologies and practices in the cement industry, contributing to overall environmental sustainability.

In summary, recording air quality readings near a cement plant is essential for regulatory compliance, public health protection, environmental stewardship, and addressing community concerns. It is a fundamental part of the council's responsibilities in managing air quality and ensuring the well-being of its residents and the environment.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew White