New APEAMembers

Police today warned that plans to install fuel oil tanks on an industrial estate could lead to an emergency which could cripple operations at its Wymondham headquarters. South Norfolk Council has received a planning application from oil giant Q8 Petroleum to install fuel tanks and offices in Penfold Drive, Wymondham, a short distance from county police headquarters.

The proposal would see fuels, including gas oil, diesel and kerosene stored on the site. But police have warned that if the plans are given the green light, a fire on the site could potentially bring its countywide operations to its knees. A report which is set to go before the council's planning committee on January 6 includes the results of a consultation with the police, which said: "A fire at the facility could necessitate evacuation of the operation centre, rendering the police control room and command arrangements unavailable. It represents a security risk to police operations."

"Fairbanks Environmental Limited, the Wetstock Management Specialists have been awarded the Outstanding Business Achievement Award 2002 for companies with less than 50 employees by the Central & West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce & Industry. News

Simon Taylor, assistant chief constable,for Norfolk police added "we are talking about the constabulary's main command and control facilities for major or critical incidents in the county. I am sure the public would not want us to be in a position where effectively the county could be deprived of such facilities."

But today Michael Haslam, chief planning officer for South Norfolk Council, said it would be unlikely councillors could refuse the application on those grounds. He said "they have applied to use the site to store gas oil, DERV and kerosene, which are all similar products that have flash points very different from gasoline. From what I have been told these products have flash points of about 70 degrees centigrade, where as gasoline is minus 40 degrees. You have go to do one hell of a lot to it to start a fire. We have got to take a sensible view on this and the harsh reality is that they have moved into an employment area. It is going to be quite difficult to refuse it on those grounds.”

Nobody from Q8 Petroleum was available for comment today.

Press Release - Fairbanks Environmental Ltd

There were over 100 original entries in their particular category, these were reduced to six finalists before Fairbanks were announced as the overall winners.

Steve Jones, Director said "We are obviously delighted to have won the award it is an excellent external acknowledgement of our company and I am particularly delighted for our staff , however we will not be resting on our laurels and we are currently following an on-going programme of development and expansion".