Paul
Mobbs/
Mobbs' Environmental Investigation & Research
Mobbsey's Work Archive
For details of my forthcoming/recent lectures, publications and other events see the Information, Events and Updates page.
Over the years my work as an environmental consultant has generated and awful lot of paper! The general problem with appeals and public inquiries is that when they are finished the paperwork gets binned or sits on someone's hard disk never to see the light of day again. To give the work a new use and value I've gradually organised my work into accessible on-line formats available under non-commercial open licences (despite what it might say on the original report!).
The reports are organised by subject:
» Civil/Digital Rights –
• General reports
• GreenNet
'Internet Rights' Toolkit
• APC
'Participating With Safety' Toolkit
» Free & Open Source Software/Systems (FOSS)
» Intellectual Property Rights
» Peak oil, gas, coal, nuclear... everything!
» Radioactive Substances Authorisations
Civil/Digital Rights – General reports
This section lists reports on the general theme of civil and digital rights. You should also see the GreenNet Internet Rights Toolkit or the APC 'Participating With Safety Toolkit'.
The Container Project – Paul Mobbs' Jamaica Photo Diary
April/May 2003
In 2003, I travelled to Jamaica for a month to assist in training and building
"The Container", a community-based computer and media arts project
based in Palmer's Cross, Clarendon. These pages document my visit in the photographs
I took whilst the project was under construction, and in the music video that I
made of the launch party.
ICT Policy: A Beginner’s Handbook
Produced the the Association for Progressive Communications,
2003.
A guide to global information and communications technology (ICT) policy,
and the benefits and threats to the development of civil society groups as
ICT developed globally (I was one of the contributing writers of the report
on the sections related to surveillance, data retention, cybercrime, terrorism,
freedom of expression and cybercrime).
Wilf's First PC Build Day
Paul and Wilf Mobbs, 2003.
Wilf has been using Linux since he was nearly three. From nearly four he has been able to
boot-up a Linux system and log into his user account. Now, at five and a half, he's going
to build his first PC (with a little help from his Dad).
The Internet, Disintermediation and Campaign Groups
Written for ECOS, the quarterly journal of the British Association
of Nature Conservationists, p25-32, Vol.21 No.1, 2000.
A study of the development of the Internet, its effects on grassroots
campaigning, and the future prospects of the larger campaign groups
(adapted from an earlier work I wrote for the Free Range Network,
The Detractor's Convention).
Research Briefing: Environmental Activism
June 1997
As I became more involved in training people to become 'pollution detectives' as part
of my work, I began to produce handouts and training materials. This is one of my
early efforts. Essentailly, it's all about informaing people of their civic rights
to information on pollution and polluting processes and then developing this
information into a campaign.
Civil/Digital Rights –
GreenNet 'Internet Rights Toolkit'
During 2000 I undertook a length writing commission from GreenNet to help them produce a series of briefings as part of their 'Internet Rights Tookit'. These are the first editions. For the latest information see their web site – http://www.internetrights.org.uk/.
Note that the GreenNet 'Internet Rights' Toolkit gives a UK/European-centred review of the issues. If you want a more general, non-country-specific view see the APC 'Participating With Safety Toolkit'.
An Introduction to the Internet
How it works and what it can do for you-
Data Protection
The protection of privacy and your rights to information held by others about you -
Using Encryption and Digital Signatures
How to protect privacy, and your identity, online -
E-Consumer Protection
Buying and carrying out business transactions online -
Privacy and Surveillance
How and when organisations and the state can monitor your actions -
Campaigning Online
Using the Internet to get your point across -
Intellectual Property
Protecting ideas in the new information economy -
Computer Crime
The law on the misuse of computers and networks -
Expression and Defamation
Your rights to free speech online, and when free speech transgresses the boundary of defamation -
Electronic Rights in the Workplace
Changes to workers rights and employers responsibilities in the new information economy -
Media Regulation and Convergence
The impact of the new digital media on society -
Civil Rights and Internet Regulation
How proposals to control the Internet affect our civil rights -
Interception and Surveillance
The RIP Act and its implications for individuals and service providers -
Keeping Your System Secure
Basic information on how to protect systems and networks when working online -
New Terrorism Legislation
How new terrorism legislation may criminalise the work of protest groups
Introduction to GreenNet 'Internet Rights' Toolkit
Glossary for GreenNet 'Internet Rights' Toolkit units
Civil/Digital Rights –
APC 'Participating With Safety Toolkit'
Produced in March 2002, Participating With Safety was a project created by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) that sought to develop a training package for activists, jounalists and human rights workers on using information and communications technology safely. To support the project I was commisisoned to write the outlines for seven briefings, which I then edited in co-operation with interested users from Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union states.
Note that 'Participating With Safety' gives a general, non-country-specific, review. If you want a more UK/European-centred view see the GreenNet Internet Rights Toolkit.
The units are available as follows:
-
Introducing Information Security
This unit outlines what information security is, and the different means that exist to protect your information from damage or loss -
Backing-up Information
This unit explains how to organise your information, how to keep regular copies, how to make back-up copies, and how to store them securely -
Passwords and Access Controls
This unit outlines the purpose of access controls, such as passwords or encryption, and how to use them -
Using Encryption and Digital Signatures
This unit describes how data encryption and digital signatures work, and how they can be used to protect your information from unwanted intrusion -
Computer Viruses
This unit outlines what computer viruses are, and how to minimise the risks from the damage they may cause -
Using the Internet Securely
This unit describes how the Internet can be used as a means of surveillance, by the state and corporations, and how these surveillance measures can by avoided -
Living Under Surveillance
This unit outlines the scope of private and state surveillance, and how simple measures can reduce (but never eliminate) the potential impacts of surveillance
Introduction to 'Participating With Safety'
Glossary for 'Participating With Safety' unitsGovernment Consultations
Back in the days when I was a 'serious' environmental consultant I did a lot of work on government consultations. Here are a few examples:
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry –
Keeping the Lights On: Nuclear, Renewables and Climate Change
September 2005
A memorandum for the HoC's Environmental Audit Committee that outlined the problems
of both peak oil, peak gas and peak unranium as a factor in planning the UK's
future energy supplies.
Response to the 'Opportunities for Change' Consultation
May 1998
A report for the Free Range Network on the government's proposals for revising the UK
Sustainable Development Strategy.
Final Draft PPG10: Response to Consultation
March 1998
A report, for the Free Range Network, on the Department of the Environment and the Regions
consultation on new waste planning guidance [which DEFRA had previously tried to squeeze
through a very limited consultation before the Free Range Network found out about it and
made it very public! – hence the work 'final draft' in the title].
Development Plans
Oh, so many development plans! Many plans, numerous council chambers and over a decade later and I look back and shudder – I escaped, but some people spend their entire professional career in public inquiries!
The Cherwell Local Plan: A Response to the Deposit Draft
March 2001
The report, for The Edge group in Banbury, on the proposals contained in the draft local
plan of Cherwell District Council in north Oxfordshire.
Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan: A Response to the Deposit Draft
March 2001
A review of the Welwyn-Hatfield draft local plan for local Friends of the Earth groups.
Stevenage Local Plan and the West of Stevenage Development
On behalf of the local Friends of the Earth groups I undertook work on the
draft Stevenage Local Plan, the draft North Hertfordshire Local Plan, and on the
proposals for the development of 10,000 houses west of the A1. This produced a number
of outputs:
-
"Development west of the A1(M) At Stevenage: Local Authority Master
Planning Principles" An appraisal of the scheme and the legal implications
of approval
April 2000 -
Stevenage Local Plan: A Response to the Deposit Draft
January 2000 -
Removing the WOS Development from the North Herts. Local plan
December 1999 -
The Stevenage District Plan: How to object!
December 1999
Response to the Deposit Draft of the Denbighshire UDP
July 1999
A report, on behalf of Vale of Clwyd Friends of the Earth, objecting to the draft
unitary development plan (UDP)of Denbighshire council in North Wales.
A Response to the Dacorum Local Plan
January 1999
A report, for the Tring Envronmental Forum, on the draft local plan of Dacorum Borough
Council in Hertfordshire.
A Critical Evaluation of the Essex Waste Local Plan
November 1998
An evaluation of the proposals contained in the draft Essex Waste Local Plan
for another consultancy group (with suits!) working on the plan.
Response to the Deposit Draft of the Warwickshire Structure Plan
October 1998
A review of the draft Warwickshire Structure Plan for local Friends of the Earth groups.
Response to the Deposit Draft of the Hertsmere Local Plan
September 1998
A report of the policies of the draft Hertsmere Local Plan for Watford and District
Friends of the Earth.
Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan Public Inquiry
1998
Lancashire... dustbin of the North West!
I undertook a major amont of work on waste in Lancashire for the ARROW group in
Skelmersdale from 1996 to 1999 – in order to defeat proposals for a large landfill
site on the edge of Skelmersdale in Round O Quarry. Below are some of the more interesting
proofs of evidence produced for the public inquiry into the waste and minerals plan:
-
Session 1 proof: Minerals
-
Session 2 proof: Waste Round Table
-
Session 3 proof: Landfilling
-
Session 3 supplementary proof: Arisings and Site Selection
-
Session 4 proof: Minerals and Waste
-
Briefing on Landfill Need in Lancashire
Response to Vale of Glamorgan Unitary Development Plan Deposit Draft
May 1998
A report for the Friends of the Earth Cymru Local Groups Network on the draft Vale of
Glamorgan Unitary Development Plan (UDP).
Project Proposal: Development Plans in Wales
February 1998
A proposal to Friends of the Earth Cymru for a project to undertake work on all
the development plans in Wales on behalf of Friends of the Earth local groups –
taking advantage of the fact that all the plans were to be revised within a few
years due to the creation of 22 new unitary authorities).
Engineering
My first love is engineering, and over time that's grown to encompass electrical and mechanical engineering and more recently computer ICT/software/systems. From time to time I get asked to do workshops, or real design-build work, for small projects in the UK and abroad. Here's a selection of some of the work I've churned out in the last few years.
Outline for an uninterruptible/renewable power system
October 2006
An outline for a uninterruptible/renewable power system for a community radio station
in rural Guyana (where regular power cuts played havoc with the broadcast schedule!).
The general idea was that I'd make the parts out of automotive components so that it
could be maintained/repaired locally. In the end I think they got hold of a wholly
commercial system based around my specs.
The Free Range 'Tri-Tent'
2006
Don't ask me silly questions... I might answer them! I dashed off this as a result
of someone asking how they could put together a weather-tight space with just some
tarps and a rope. The dimensions are proportionate to the size of the tarp, so the
biggest I've made to far is 7' (if you make a bigger one, let me know/send me a
picture!).
Brave New Brum Workshop Summary/Handout
October 2005
The handout for a two day practical workshop on 'doing energy' in Birmingham –
looking at things like how much power we use, ways to reduce it, and how to use small
renewable power systems to take some of your demand off-grid. This is the sort
of stuff now encompassed in some of the
Trash
Tech. Engineering workshops that I run.
Free and Open Source Software
I began using free software in the late 90s, and Linux in 1999. From 2001 I haven't used a Micro$oft system at home. I now find that I can turn my own private interest into a job as other people want to undergo the same transition I went through a decade ago – especially as my approach focusses on the community/development applications of FOSS.
Technological Standards, Digital Rights Management and Free Software
December 2004
An essay I wrote for a course at Göteborg University that a friend asked me to
take part in and give feedback. The essay looks at whether it is possible to encompass
digital rights management systems within free software – a contentious if archaic
issue within the FOSS movement – whilst retaining the fundamental 'openness'
principles of free software (answer: I think not!)
Creating Linux Networks with Trash Technology
2004
A presentation I gave at a few training events in London during 2004 on recycling scrap
computers to produce computer training platforms to tech ICT in the community (it
followed on from the CLTC work, shown below).
The Community-Linux Training Centre
2003
A presentation I trawled around a few computer geek events, Linux User Groups and
universities in 2003, describing the design/application of The Community–Linux
Training Centre. If you'd like to know more see the
CLTC
web site.
The Campaigner's Computer Maintenance Mantra
1993/4 (first edition)
A little something I wrote long ago when teaching roads/direct action
protestors how to use computers – for people to fix to the wall
next to their computer and keep them on the straight and narrow.
Genetic Engineering
I've done a bit of campaigning on genetic engineering – e.g. I hosted the UK's list of genetically modified crop test sites on-line before the government did. Here's an example of my work.
Response to Nuffield Council on Bioethics Consultation,
"Genetically Modified Crops: The Social and Ethical Issues"
July 1998
A response, for the Free Range Network, to a consultation on the social and ethical issues
raised by the growing of genetically modified crops.
Statement by Paul Mobbs relating to the genetiX snowball website
April 1999
My statement to the High court in 1999 relating to the action by Monsanto against the
group genetiX snowball.
I was covered by the injunction because of hosting the web site, and so I want along to
the "queue for justice" outside the court.
Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are a mostr pernicious legal instrument. It's not enough that modern commerce has to provatise and take our land and natural resources – now they're privatising thought and ideas as well! Over the years I've done various bits of work on IPR; here's an example.
Implementing Directive 2001/29/EC: Comments on the proposed amendments
to the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988
October 2002
A response to the consultation on amendment to UK copyright law for GreenNet, focussing
especially on the impacts the proposed changes would have on the use of information in the
community. There are two files:
-
Objection for the Patent Office
-
GreenNet users briefing
Minerals Extraction
Over the years I've looked into a lot of holes around Britain, usually because they were about to fill them wirh waste. Here's a selection of reports on minerals and minerals restoration.
Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan Public Inquiry
1998
Lancashire... dustbin of the North West!
I undertook a major amont of work on waste in Lancashire for the ARROW group in
Skelmersdale from 1996 to 1999 – in order to defeat proposals for a large landfill
site on the edge of Skelmersdale in Round O Quarry. Below are some of the more interesting
proofs of evidence produced for the public inquiry into the waste and minerals plan:
-
Session 1 proof: Minerals
-
Session 2 proof: Waste Round Table
-
Session 3 proof: Landfilling
-
Session 3 supplementary proof: Arisings and Site Selection
-
Session 4 proof: Minerals and Waste
-
Briefing on Landfill Need in Lancashire
Cilyrychen Quarry IDO Stage II Registration – Analysis of Tarmac's Application and Technical Statements
June 1997
A review, on behalf of the Campaign for the Protection of the Gwenlais Valley, of the
application to update the quarrying permission for large quarry in an area with important
nature conservation sites.
Nuclear Power/Nuclear Sites
I've worked on nuclear problems since the mid-80s, both civil and military. Here are a few examples of my work.
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry –
Keeping the Lights On: Nuclear, Renewables and Climate Change
September 2005
A memorandum for the HoC's Environmental Audit Committee that outlined the problems
of both peak oil, peak gas and peak unranium as a factor in planning the UK's
future energy supplies.
Uranium Supply and the Nuclear Option
Oxford Energy Forum (journal of the Oxford Institute for Energy
Studies), May 2005.
A short paper on the global availability – past, present
and future – of uranium, and the critical limitation that
the likely future shortage of uranium represents to the much
trumpeted "nuclear renaissance".
Harwell Laboratory: Southern England's New Radioactive Waste Repository?
February 1999
An analysis of the UK Radioactive Waste Inventory, and the significance of the information
it provides in relation to radioactive waste storage at Harwell in south Oxfordshire.
Radioactive Substances in South East England
October 1997
A report for anti-nuclear groups in the south-east on the presence and use of radioactive
substances and the storage of radioactive wastes.
AWE Aldermaston's Radioactive Waste Transfer Station
In 1995/6 I did some work for anti-nuclear and peace groups in Berkshire relating to
a proposal from AWE Aldermaston (where Britain makes it's nuclear weapons) to
construct a radioactive waste transfer station. Please note
that these reports have been converted from a now redundant file format and so the
pagination has been lost, along with any graphics.
-
Analysis and Response to the Environmental Statement for the AWE Aldermaston Waste Transfer Station
May 1996
This was the report on the environmental statement that was eventually submitted by AWE for construction of the transfer station. -
Assessment of the planning application for a waste transfer station, AWE Aldermaston
April 1995
Originally Berkshire County Council were just going to wave the proposals for AWE's radioactive waste transfer station through – this report outlines the authority's responsibility to demand an environmental statement for the development even though it did not require planning permission.
Response to Safeguard International's Environmental Statement on the Culham Radioactive Waste Transfer Station
November 1995
A report on the proposals to turn an old garage into a transfer station for hazardous
radioactive wastes. It was rather a farce of a planning application, having been first
unlawfully approved and then withdrawn by the local council, before being taken over and
badly handled by the County Council.
Submission to the AWE Community Inquiry
March 1994
In 1994, Reading Borough Council held an informal 'community public inquiry' into the
activities at AWE Aldermaston. This was my submission on behalf of Friends of the Earth
in Oxfordshire. Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost, along with any
graphics.
Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station
In 1991/2 I did some work for the Chapelcross Watchdog and Action Group on the
contamination from the Magnox power station and the proposals for a new nuclear power
station. The results were surprising! Please note that these
reports have been converted from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has
been lost, along with any graphics.
-
Chapelcross 'B': the case against construction of one, or two, Pressurised Water Reactors on the Solway Firth – Report on preliminary study
March 1992
A review of the proposals for replacing the Magnox power station, which primarily was used to produce military plutonium and tritium for Britain's nuclear bomb programme, with one or two pressurised water reactors. -
Inner Solway Radiation Survey
December 1991
In order to get a better idea of the problems at Chapelcross one of my first actions was to carry out a baseline survey of the radioactive contamination around the area in order to set some priorities for further research and action.
Reports on the Atomic Energy Authirity's Harwell Laboratory Site
I spent an awful lot of time in the late 80s/early 90s working on the problems
of the UKAEA's Harwell Laboratory in South Ocfordshire.
In a large part, along with some of the other work on nuclear and polluted sites
(e.g., Chapelcross above), I learnt a lot of the skills and tactics that were to
become valuable when I 'turned pro' in 1992 (note at the time I went under the
name of the 'Banbury Environmental Research Group').
Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost,
along with any graphics.
-
UKAEA Harwell: Issues and Public Safety – A report for the Local Liaison Committee
May 1990
A report for the Harwell Local Liaison Committee on the problems of the site that they proported to be the watchdog for. It caused a stir at the time, and the publicity caused the AEA a lot of headaches and cleanup costs. -
AEA Harwell – Nuclear and Environmental Hazards
1990
An article published in SCRAM on the hazards of the Harwell Laboratory site in Oxfordshire. -
The Safety of the UKAEA Harwell Establishment and in particular the Safety of the Harwell Materials Testing Reactors
December 1989
A report produced for the House of Commons Energy Select Committee (and subsequently referred to officially as "the Mobbs report"). It led to a lot of denials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), but the fact that the issues had been brought out in front of a Commons committee meant that the pressure was on the UKAEA to live up to the bland assurances given on their behalf by the HSE.
Peak oil, gas, coal, nuclear... everything!
Much of my work is now devoted to finding ways to move beyond the current economic, development and resource paradigm as the imminent peak in global oil production, and other critical resources, causes the world to review how it works. Here's a collection of some of my work on the subject – you should also see the Energy Beyond Oil book and the articles & papers indexes too.
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry –
Keeping the Lights On: Nuclear, Renewables and Climate Change
September 2005
A memorandum for the HoC's Environmental Audit Committee that outlined the problems
of both peak oil, peak gas and peak unranium as a factor in planning the UK's
future energy supplies.
Uranium Supply and the Nuclear Option
Published in Oxford Energy Forum,
the quarterly journal of the Oxford Institute for Energy
Studies, Issue 61, May 2005.
A short paper on the global availability – past, present
and future – of uranium, and the critical limitation that
the likely future shortage of uranium represents to the much
trumpeted "nuclear renaissance".
Turning the World Upside Down
Published in an edited form in The World Today,
the journal of the Royal Institute for International Affairs (Chatham House),
vol.60 no.12, December 2004.
An article I wrote for Chatham House, to which they added the snappy
introduction, "Could you live with the same amount of energy
now available to those in the third world? A dramatic change such as
this is likely within fifty years as present energy sources are used
up. So future generations will have to manage with just a third of
the energy we use now."
Planning/Planning Appeal Inquiries
I used to do a lot of planning application/planning appeal cases, but not so much now as I find the more proactive work of 'Energy Beyond Oil' far more interesting. Here's a few examples of the information produced some recent inquiries – you should also see the Development Plans section for development plan-related inquiries
Calor Gas Appeal, Canvey Island
September 2007
I represented the local community group in Canvey Island, People Against Methane (PAM),
against the proposals by Calor Gas to build a new liquefied gas import terminal right
next to the town. In the end Calor withdrew from the appeal before it began, and so the
proof was never used (damn!).
Investigation of the power of local planning authorities in Wales to vary the boundaries of Strategic Search Areas for wind power development
March 2007
An opinion for local community councillors/campaigners as to whether Carmarthenshire
Council could extend the boundaries of an SSA beyonds that identidied in planning
guidance.
Awel Aman Tawe Wind Farm Public Inquiry
Summer 2006
In 2005/6 I represented a local community group in South Wales who were opposing a wind farm.
I took part because, as wind farm go, it was a stupid proposal, but more importantly it would
have invalidated the new wind farms planning policy (TAN 8) in Wales. Here's my main proof of
evidence and the closing statement.
-
AAT Appeal – Proof of Evidence
-
AAT Appeal – closing statement
New Labour and the Planning Agenda
Written for the CorporateWatch journal, 2000.
An article, written for and published by Corporate Watch (you can
read the original/unedited article
here),
on the way that New Labour has sought to restructure the planning system to favour
corporate interests and keep out the public.
A review of the application to restore the dwelling house at Pantygarn, Carmel, Dyfed
June 1994
A report on problems with a developer trying to build a house in the middle of an
important SSSI (now a National Nature Reserve/SAC). At the time the nature conservation
bodies in Wales were under a lot of political pressure to allow any form of economic
development, and so in response to the clearing of hedgerows in the SSSI they justified
the illegal damaging activity as (in words I will never forget), "linear
coppicing". Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost, along with any
graphics.
Frontier Plastics' Gamma Irradiator, Pontllanfraith
1993
An early and rather strange job in my early professional career – a plastics
factory in Gwent wanted to put the largest lump of cobalt-60 in the UK (outside
of Sellafield's waste materials stores) in a valley in Wales where there was serious
mining subsidence. In the end I recommended it was approved with the condition that
the mineworkings were first pressure grouted to prevent collapse – so it didn't
go ahead as the company couldn't afford the multi-million pound cost of the works.
Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost,
along with any graphics.
-
Application by Frontier Plastics to install a gamma irradiator, Pontllanfraith, Gwent – comments upon the proposed development
My original report for the local campaign group on the proposals. -
Evidence to Islwyn Borough Council on Frontier Plastics Irradiator Application
My second report – written after I had raided the files on the planning register, and where I found all sorts of nuggets – such as the fact that the chief planning officer had commissioned a number of reports, but he only ever cited the one report with a positive reponse to the planning committee! -
Grounds for Refusal
A little missive thrust into the hands of councillors as they arrived at the meeting to decide the application, much to the annoynance of the borough solicitor.
Comments upon the Coca-Cola Schweppes Beverages Supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment
June 1990
A report from the days when I worked for free – an assessment for Banbury Friends of
the Earth of the proposed Coca-Cola factory that was proposed for a new industrial estate
on the edge of the town. Please note that this report has been
converted from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost, along with
any graphics.
Pollution
Once, whilst sitting on some illegally dumped (by a government agency!) intermediate level radioactive waste transport flasks with the media taking photos from a distance, I remember thinking, "can't I get a better job than this?". Some of the pollution I came across over the year was pretty ghastly (especially the incident with the incinerator ash in Byker) – here's some examples.
British Council Russia – Science Café
2006
Each year I do a number of guest lectures and science-type events at schools and
universities around the UK. Here's the slides and text I produced for a British
Council Russia science café event (video streaming to a school in Irkutsk from
London) a few years ago:
-
Handout/summary of 'Climate change in Russia' presentation
-
Slides for 'Climate change in Russia' presentation
The Byker RDF Plant and the Contamination of Land in
Newcastle upon Tyne with Incinerator Ash
Report draft, November 2000
This report was never properly finished, and still remains as a draft. However, it provides
a detailed account of an investigation into how Newcastle City Council's incinerator plant
was run, and how contaminated ash was used on allotments and parks in Newcastle.
Response to the Colne Valley Local Environment Agency Plan (LEAP)
January 1998
A report, produced on behalf of Friends of the Earth groups in Hertfordshire, to the
Environment Agency's management plan for the Colne Valley (west of London)
Research Briefing: Five Myths About Waste Incineration
November 1997
Produced for groups in Hertfordshire (and Essex) opposing waste incinerator proposals,
this now rather dated handout lists the popular myths that local authorities
use to justfy building incinerators. Even though it's out of date people keep asking me
for it because it's a good summary – but as the new Planning Bill will probably
unleash a new round of incinerator proposals I'll probably have to update and re-issue
it at some point.
Research Briefing: Environmental Activism
June 1997
As I became more involved in training people to become 'pollution detectives' as part
of my work, I began to produce handouts and training materials. This is one of my
early efforts.
Appraisal and response to the applications for consent to discharge trade effluent from the Newbury Bypass
October 1996
A report for Friends of the Earth and the Third Battle of Newbury on the
impacts of discharging water from the Newbury Bypass site into local
watercourses. At the time the Environment Agency were just letting the
works proceed, and this and similar reports, complementing the action by
protestors on the ground at the time, were just a few pin-pricks to annoy
the regulatory bodies into doing their job properly.
The Sea Empress Spill: The Potential for Human Health Effects
March 1996
a report for Friends of the Earth Cymru on the health hazards of the Sea Empress oil
spill. At the time most of the concern was for the physical/amenity impact of the oil
spill and not the toxic impacts. This report alerted many of those who were recovering
oiled birds at the time without any protective equipment, as well as those living near
the coast, as to why they were suffering conditions such as breathing difficulties and
skin rashes. Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost, along with any
graphics.
Response to the application for a permanent shooting school near Curridge
January 1996
a report on a proposed shooting school near the village of Curridge (one of a
crop of such shooting schools I dealt with around that time) and the noise
and highways impacts it would generate. The difficulty was getting the local
council to accept that noise was a valid planning matter since usually it's an
issue of 'nuisance' dealt with by the environmental health department, not
planners. Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost, along
with any graphics.
Contaminated Land in South Ribble
July 1994
A report for Friends of the Earth on the extent of contaminated land in the former
(now re-organised out of existance) South Ribble District Council area of Lancashire.
The purpose of the report, given the debate raging about contaminated land registers
at the time, was to take a former industrial area and see what scale of contaminated
land register could be produced.
Contaminated Land: What's The Problem? – The implications of contaminated land issues for the small property buyer.
1992
An information-cum-advertising report on the hazards of contaminated land –
a lot of my early commercial work related to contaminated land/toxic pollution
issues. Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost, along with
any graphics.
AEA Harwell – Nuclear and Environmental Hazards
1990
An article published in SCRAM on the hazards of the Harwell Laboratory site
in Oxfordshire.
Radioactive Substances Authorisations
I've always done a lot of work around nuclear sites, but the late 90's saw some of the major sites coming up for their Radioactive Substances Act authorisation renewals at around the same time – a plan was hatched with some interested persons and organisations and this was the result:
Consultation on RSA authorisations for the UKs
Magnox Nuclear Power Stations
August 2000
On behalf of an ad-hoc consortium of environmental and anti-nuclear groups I undertook a
major study of the operaion and radioactive discharges from the Magnox nuclear power
stations. This is a very large report, and is split into many sections for easier
downloading:
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Briefing on Magnox Consultation
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Magnox Consultation – Main report
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Annexes contents
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Annex 1 – Radiation, health and the environment documents (index)
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A-bomb survivors: factors that may lead to a re-assessment of the radiation hazard,
Alice Stewart/George Kneale, International Journal of Epidemiology 2000; 29,
708-714 671
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Radioecology: relevance to the problems of the new millennium, F. Ward Whicker,
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 2000; 50, 173-178
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Environmental effects of radionuclides observations on natural ecosystems,
D. Copplestone et. al. Journal of Radiological Protection 2000; 20,
29-40
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Evaluation of annual external radiation doses at values near minimum detection
levels of dosimeters at the Hanford nuclear facility, David Richardson et. al.,
Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology 2000; 10,
27-35
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A system for radiological protection of the environment: some initial thoughts and
ideas, R.J. Pentreath, Journal of Radiological Protection 1999; 19/2,
117-128
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Control of low-level radiation exposure: time for a change?, Roger Clarke,
Journal of Radiological Protection 1999; 19/2, 107-115
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The Seascale cluster: a problematic explanation, Richard Doll, British Journal
of Cancer 1999; 81/1, 3-5
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Unexpected sensitivity to the induction of mutations by very low doses of alpha
particle radiation: evidence for a bystander effect, Hatsumi Nagasawa/John Little,
Radiation Research 1999; 152, 552-557
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Genetic heterogeneity in the population and its implications for radiation risk,
Report of NRPB Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation, Documents of the NRPB,
10/3
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Childhood cancer and nuclear installations: a review, C.R. Muirhead,
Nuclear Energy 1998; 37/6, 371-379
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Cancer in the offspring of radiation workers, F. Alexander, Busby/Scott
Cato, A. Stewart, British Medical Journal 30/5/98; 316,
1672-1673
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Intercellular communication is involved in the bystander regulation of gene
expression in human cells exposed to very low fluences of alpha particles,
I. Edouard et. al., Radiation Research 1998; 150,
497-504
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Radiation roulette, Rob Edwards, New Scientist, 11/10/97;
36-40
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Fitness and germline mutations in barn swallows breeding in Chernobyl,
Hans Ellegren et. al., Nature, 9/10/97; 389, 593-596
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Further evidence for elevated human minisatellite mutation rate in Belarus
eight years after Chernobyl accident, Yuri Dubrova et. al., Mutation
Research 1997; 381, 267-278
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Death rates from leukaemia are higher than expected in areas around nuclear
sites in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, Chris Busby/Molly Scott Cato,
British Medical Journal, 2/8/97; 315, 309
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Childhood leukaemia in US may have risen due to fallout from Chernobyl,
Joseph Mangano, British Medical Journal, 19/4/97; 314, 1200
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Case control study of leukaemia among young people near La Hague nuclear
reprocessing plant: the environmental hypothesis revisited, Dominique
Pobel/Jean-Francois Viel, British Medical Journal, 11/1/97; 314,
101-106
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Infant leukaemia after in utero exposure to radiation from Chernobyl,
E. Petridou et. al., Nature, 25/7/97; 382, 352-353
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Chernobyl's legacy to science, Editorial, Nature, 25/4/97;
380, 653
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Cancer risk of low-level exposure, Marvin Goldman, Science,
29/3/96; 271, 1821-1822
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Genomic instability induced by ionising radiation, William Morgan
et. al., Radiation Research 1996; 146, 247-258
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Incidence of leukaemia in young people around La Hague nuclear waste
reprocessing plant: a sensitivity analysis, Jean-Francois Viel/Dominique
Pobel, Statistics in Medicine 1995; 14, 2459-2472
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Risk of radiation induced cancer at low doses and low dose rates for
radiation protection purposes, Cox, Muirhead et. al., Documents of
the NRPB 1995; 6/1
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Inconsistencies and open questions regarding low-dose health effects of
ionising radiation, Nussbaum and Kohnlein, Environmental Health
Perspectives 1994; 102/8, 656-667
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Excess of other cancers in Wales, Chris Busby, British Medical
Journal, 22/1/94; 308, 268
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Child leukaemia after Chernobyl, Ivanov et. al., Nature,
21/10/93; 365, 702
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Tritium: the overlooked hazard, Ian Fairlie, The Ecologist,
Sept./Oct. 1992; 22/5, 228-232
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Neonatal mortality in Germany since the Chernobyl explosion, Jens Scheer,
British Medical Journal, 28/3/92; 304, 843
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Cancer in populations living near nuclear facilities: A survey of mortality
nation-wide and incidence in two states, Seymour Jablon et. al., Journal of
the American Medical Association, 20/3/91; 265/11, 1403-1408
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Background gamma radiation and childhood cancer within ten miles of a US nuclear
plant, Maureen Hatch & Mervyn Susser, International Journal of Epidemiology
1990; 19/3, 546-552
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Cancer near potential sites of nuclear installations, Paula Cook-Mozaffari
et. al., The Lancet, 11/11/89;
1145-1147
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The risk of childhood leukaemia near nuclear establishments, J.W. Stather et. al.,
NRPBR215, January 1988
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Annex 2 – Legal and procedural documents (2.1 megabytes!)
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Annex 3 – Engineering and economics Documents (2.2 megabytes!)
Objections to the Application by the UKAEA for a
Radioactive Substances Act Authorisation at Harwell Laboratory
March 2000
On behalf of Oxford and Southampton Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament I produced objections
to the review of the Radioactive Substances Act authorisation at the UKAEA's Harwell
Laboratory in south Oxfordshire:
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Objection on behalf of Oxford CND
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Objection on behalf of Southampton CND
Application for a RSA Authorisation for the AWE Aldermaston
November 1999
This report is a response, on behalf of the Nuclear Awareness Groups, to an application
by the company that runs the UK's Atomic Weapons Establishment (where Britain makes its
nuclear weapons) for a license to discharge radioactive substances.
Waste Management
A lot of my work in the late 80s and the 1990s involved rubbish – both working on policy through council consultations and plans, as well as opposing specific proposals for damaging waste facilities. Here are a few examples.
The Byker RDF Plant and the Contamination of Land in
Newcastle upon Tyne with Incinerator Ash
Report draft, November 2000
This report was never properly finished, and still remains as a draft. However, it provides
a detailed account of an investigation into how Newcastle City Council's incinerator plant
was run, and how contaminated ash was used on allotments and parks in Newcastle.
Abernant Farm Landfill Application
October 1999
A response, on behald of Dinefwr Friends of the Earth, to a planning application for a
landfill site, near Abernant in Carmarthenshire, that sought to regularise the unlawful
activities on the site.
A Critical Evaluation of the Essex Waste Local Plan
November 1998
An evaluation of the proposals contained in the draft Essex Waste Local Plan
for another consultancy group (with suits!) working on the plan.
'Best Value' and Waste Management in Local
Authorities: An Independent View
Institute of Waste Management's 'Best Value in Waste Management' Seminar, November 1998
A paper for a seminar I gave to the Institute of Waste Management's
conference on 'best balue'.
Apraisal of Biffa's Application to Change Waste Types at Stewponey Landfill Site, Stourton
September 1998
On behalf of the local community group FLAGS, I undertook a eries of reports on the
proposals by Biffa to switch from inert to toxic wastes at their landfill site near
Stourton west of Birmingham – which sits on one of the most important
groundwater resources in the area.
Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan Public Inquiry
1998
Lancashire... dustbin of the North West!
I undertook a major amont of work on waste in Lancashire for the ARROW group in
Skelmersdale from 1996 to 1999 – in order to defeat proposals for a large landfill
site on the edge of Skelmersdale in Round O Quarry. Below are some of the more interesting
proofs of evidence produced for the public inquiry into the waste and minerals plan:
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Session 1 proof: Minerals
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Session 2 proof: Waste Round Table
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Session 3 proof: Landfilling
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Session 3 supplementary proof: Arisings and Site Selection
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Session 4 proof: Minerals and Waste
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Briefing on Landfill Need in Lancashire
Round O Quarry Landfill Public Inquiry
On behalf of ARROW in Skelmersdale, I undertook a large amount of work in relation to a
public inquiry into the proposals to allow landfilling in Round O Quarry. Below are the
two main proofs produced for the inquiry, and a brifing produced for members of the
public who wished to take part in the inquiry process:
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Inquiry Supplementary Proof
August 1998 -
Inquiry Proof of Evidence
July 1998 -
Briefing on Round O Public Inquiry
March 1998
Final Draft PPG10: Response to Consultation
March 1998
A report, for the Free Range Network, on the Department of the Environment and the Regions
consultation on new waste planning guidance [which DEFRA had previously tried to squeeze
through a very limited consultation before the Free Range Network found out about it and
made it very public! – hence the work 'final draft' in the title].
Research Briefing: Five Myths About Waste Incineration
November 1997
Produced for groups in Hertfordshire (and Essex) opposing waste incinerator proposals,
this now rather dated handout lists the popular myths that local authorities
use to justfy building incinerators. Even though it's out of date people keep asking me
for it because it's a good summary – but as the new Planning Bill will probably
unleash a new round of incinerator proposals I'll probably have to update and re-issue
it at some point.
Waste disposal on Allsopps Hill Quarry, Rowley Regis, Warley, West Midlands
June 1996
A report on the out-of-control operations on a former landfill site in Rowley Regis.
A developer had gotten control of the restored landfill site and started to top
builder's waste on it to construct a 'golf course' – even through that had tipped
so much waste that it was now a mound rather than flat, and the landfill gas
collection system of the former landfill was crushed and gas was moving off-site
again! Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost,
along with any graphics.
An Analysis of the Aller Barton and Uffculme landfill proposals, and waste management policy in Devon county
May 1996
An analysis of waste proposals in Devon for Devon Friends of the Earth Network,
which opened a larger can of worms. Although the planning application's themselved
were fairly questionable, whilst digging through Devon County Council's waste
disposal files I found the County had an £18 million liability for previous
landfill operations which the waste officers hadn't explicitly told the councillors
about! Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost,
along with any graphics.
Fenny Compton Landfill – Analysis of application and submitted documentation
March 1996
A report on the application to Warwickshire County Council for Britain's first dedicated
incinerator ash 'monofill' (they only intended to put incinerator ash in it, which is a
very large toxic legacy!). The site was only 10 miles from where I lived, and after this
and other reports the company withdrew the application before it was determined by the
council. It was critical to stop this site because without easy ash disposal it's far
harder/more expensive to set-up incinerators in the UK. Please note
that this report has been converted from a now redundant file format and so the pagination
has been lost, along with any graphics.
A Review of Waste Disposal and quarrying at Turner's Hill, Oldbury, West Midlands
October 1994
A report for a dedicated local campaigner, Fred Hadley (who has since unfortunately
died). This was my study of the landfill site just up the hill from his house, and
which was being run chaotically even though it took quite noxious hazardous wastes
from the West Midlands chemical industry. It was doing work with Fred that showed
me the stark difference between what the law says and what compromised local
officials do – and ultimately this difference is the ecological disaster that
we describe as "The Black Country" Please note that
this report has been converted from a now redundant file format and so the
pagination has been lost, along with any graphics.
Sustainable Waste Management – Possibility or Pipe-dream?
February 1994
An article on the meaning of the word 'sustainable' as applied to the term
"sustainable waste management" – written for The Recycling Council's
annual seminar in Birmingham, 17th February, 1994 (and published in
the proceedings of the conference, Why Recycle?, A.K.M. Rainbow [editor],
A.A. Balkema publishing, 1994). Please note that this report
has been converted from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been
lost, along with any graphics.
An Assessment of General Environmental Options (GEO) Ltd's Environmental Statement on the Proposed Hespin Wood Incinerator
September 1993
An application for an incinerator just north of Carlisle, on the edge of the River
Eden/Solway Firth (and one of my first incinerator jobs). Eventually the application
was refused because of the environmental impact upon the sensitive wildlife sites
in the area, and because of the traffic and visual impact on the area.
Please note that this report has been converted
from a now redundant file format and so the pagination has been lost,
along with any graphics.
Main Report
Executive Summary