12 May 2006

A new programme which will enable more of the local community to view licence applications to the Environment Agency is being piloted.

The agency announced that the application for a power station licence from Exeter-based Rolls Royce Power Venture will be available to examine on the Internet through its website.

The aim of the scheme is to make these bids more accessible to the local public and therefore enable a larger number of them to have their say on proposed developments by businesses that potentially could pollute the environment.

Previously, these documents were only available at Environment Agency offices, which proved inaccessible to many people.

Similar applications from companies across England and Wales that are participating in the trial programme will be put on the Environment Agency's website over the next few months and if it is successful, the scheme will be fully implemented.

The agency's freedom of information policy advisor Lorna Roxburgh said: "The global environment has become a high priority on the political agenda, but it is equally important in our local area.

"We hope local people will welcome this opportunity to have a say on whether they think these activities should be allowed and if so, how they should be done."

© Adfero Ltd

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