Latest news with #NewtonAycliffe
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Heighington hazardous waste incinerator could open next year
The company behind a hazardous waste incinerator plant which attracted thousands of objections says it hopes to be in operation in the first quarter of facility on Heighington Lane in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has already been built by Fornax North East but requires an environmental permit from the Environment Agency (EA).The firm said the plant will use "the best available techniques to safely dispose of waste".Durham County Council approved planning permission for the incinerator on 5 December 2022 following an appeal, but more than 2,000 residents living nearby have submitted objections to an EA consultation over the permit. About 70% of the waste treated in the plant will be clinical waste from across the North East and North Yorkshire. The remaining 30% will be classed as hazardous said clinical waste will include used needles and blades, scrubs and surgical materials from clinical waste will comprise waste medicines, pharmaceutical waste, packaging, along with some plastics from discarded electricals, as well as paints and DIY chemicals, cleaning products from industrial settings and agricultural chemicals. Ian Jones, CEO of Fornax, said: "This part of the sector has seen years of underinvestment in the UK and high temperature thermal treatment plants, such as this, are desperately required."Fornax will be using state-of-the art technology, aiming to set a new gold standard in how the UK manages this waste safely and sustainably."He said that the company is committed to "delivering cleaner, greener and safer solutions for high temperature thermal treatment". Hannah-Lucy Jackson, who lives in Heighington, previously said she did not want her community to become the next waste "horror story".Fornax said all waste will be brought on to the site in sealed airtight containers and emissions from the plant will be closely EA is expected to announce a draft decision on the permit in the winter and then another public consultation will be held on that decision.A spokesperson said: "We are now making our technical assessment, taking all the evidence and issues raised during the public consultation into account." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Aycliffe fly infestation disrupting County Durham village life, residents say
Residents say they are being "terrorised" by thousands of flies, which are disrupting their daily lives and causing health living in Aycliffe Village, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, have urged the Environment Agency (EA) to take action to bring the situation under Appleby, who has blamed a nearby landfill, said he had 64 flies stuck to fly paper at his home a month ago, and he was "deeply concerned" because the issue was happening each Quarry Landfill Site, which is managed by Ashcourt, said it was "not the source of the issue". The EA said it was investigating. Mr Appleby, 55, said: "The residents of Aycliffe Village should not be forced to endure such conditions."Local residents are being terrorised in their own homes and gardens, with the infestation causing disruption to daily life and posing legitimate health and hygiene concerns." 'Rise in temperature' Last year, a rotten egg smell monitored by the EA near the landfill was found to exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) "annoyance" levels. At the time, the quarry's owner said there were a number of other potential sources of the EA said it was investigating around the areas of Brafferton and Aycliffe to find out where the flies had come from."With temperatures climbing, we are seeing more incidents related to hot weather impacts on the environment, including, in some cases, an increase in the number of flies," a spokesperson said."We are investigating reports of increased fly activity in Brafferton and Aycliffe and are focusing on potential sources."The EA said it was working to ensure control measures are put in place to reduce the impact on the local community.A spokesperson for Ashcourt said: "We do not have a fly infestation at our site. "We are aware that there were some complaints received by the Environment Agency, but we are not the source of the issue." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- BBC News
Newton Aycliffe Aviator bar licence suspended after stabbings
A bar has had its licence suspended after two people were injured in a Police raised concerns about Aviator Sports and Live Lounge in Newton Aycliffe following the stabbings last force said staff, including licence holder Jacob Kennedy, did not ring 999 and had interfered with the crime said the attack did not occur on its property and denied obstructing the investigation. A hearing at Durham County Hall on Monday was told the venue hosted a private wake and was closed to the general obtained by police showed the offender was ejected from the bar after throwing a bottle, before an altercation started next to the beer staff said they were unaware a weapon had been used, despite one of the victims re-entering the venue with a wound, and that one person had refused first aid footage also showed an individual pouring cups of water on the crime scene, police Caroline Dickenson, of Durham Police, said: "The CCTV evidence shows that the account given to officers by Jacob Kennedy was untrue and an attempt to mislead police officers, remove any blame from the venue and protect the offender."The venue was temporarily closed by police on Friday evening and reopened on Sunday.A police statement added: "The only action taken by the bar is to interfere with the crime scene and frustrate the investigation." 'No evidence' The venue said it had taken steps ahead of the event and fully co-operated with police in handing over CCTV described any suggestion the crime scene had been interfered with as "unfounded".A statement read out on the company's behalf: "The stabbing did not take place on or near the Aviator bar."At no point did the owner have any indication that anybody had a weapon and had there been evidence of that it would have been acted upon."Durham County Council's licensing committee ruled to immediately suspend the venue's licence due to the severity of the Tim Robson, licensing committee chairman, said there had been "a number of fundamental breaches of the licensing objectives.A full hearing will be held before 15 August, the Local Democracy Reporting Service a teenager has been charged with two counts of assault causing grievous bodily harm and remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Durham Crown Court on 15 August. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Newton Aycliffe GP who died during pandemic given national recognition
A Newton Aycliffe GP who died on the frontline during the pandemic has been awarded a national honour by the King. Doctor Poornima Nair, 56, was the first Covid-19 patient to be admitted to the University Hospital of North Tees and Hartlepool. She spent 46 days fighting the virus in intensive care before she died on May 12, 2020. Doctor Poornima Nair has been honoured with an Elizabeth Emblem after she died in service during the pandemic Now, five years after her death, she has been honoured with an Elizabeth Emblem along with more than 100 other public servants who died in service. She is one of six people who contracted Covid-19 while working in healthcare to be recognised in the list. The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. Born in New Delhi, in India, Dr Nair studied there at the University College of Medical Sciences to follow her dream of becoming a doctor. Doctor Poornima Nair has been honoured with an Elizabeth Emblem after she died in service during the pandemic She and her husband Shlok Balupuri, a senior surgeon, were married in India, and the couple had a son, Varun Nair Balupuri. READ MORE: Darlington apprentice named among top five at UK hairdressing awards Two County Durham towns get new banking hubs as last branches close down First look inside Darlington's newest independent jewellery shop opening today They moved to the UK in 1994, living in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, until 2010. Dr Nair worked at Station View Medical Centre in Bishop Auckland for 15 years, where she was popular amongst fellow staff and patients. The Elizabeth Emblem is awarded to the next of kin on behalf of the service person.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sedgefield water polo team 'dreaming' of winning division one
A men's water polo team will be entering Division One and competing for a place in European competitions after four back to back Sedgefield Water Polo Club will represent their County Durham town and nearby Newton Aycliffe in the top flight of the British Water Polo League from men's team was created in 2021 and started playing at the bottom of the pyramid in Division Five. Team captain John Pratt, who lives in Coxhoe near Durham, said the team had grown up together and began playing water polo through swimming classes. The 26-year-old said: "It has been such a journey, I managed the team when we initially formed and competed in Division Five."I put the team together and then I got involved and played."The dream of playing in the top division was something the group of friends talked about and now they have fulfilled it."We have known each other since we were kids and that helps us," Mr Pratt said."In other parts of the country, water polo is posher but we got into it through swimming lessons," he added. They play at the Newton Aycliffe leisure centre and are the only team in Division One from the north-east of England."We know it is going to be extremely difficult this season and we are putting ourselves in the best position possible," Mr Pratt said, adding: "We have been dreaming of playing in Division One and winning it."Of the 23 team members, 21 grew up within 15 miles of the Sedgefield area and they believe that gives them the team spirit and togetherness to keep finished the last season second in Division Two and earned automatic promotion.A spokesperson for the club said: "The success of the Sedgefield national league team is something that should provide huge pride for everyone in Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield and the surrounding area."The success of the club is a testament to what can be achieved when like-minded people put their mind to something and stick together when things get tough. "A town the size of Newton Aycliffe with a team in the top division of a British sports league is something that should be celebrated, and Sedgefield will hope to continue to punch above their weight in the coming years." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
