Ineos suffer planning set back at BP Kinneil site in Grangemouth

Ineos lodged a partially retrospective application on July 8, which was validated on July 11, to construct enclosed ground flares and associated infrastructure at BP Kinneil, on Bo’ness Road, Grangemouth.

The planning documents stated: “The proposed development will replace the existing ground flares with totally enclosed ground flares (EGFs) to handle operational

flaring and emergency flaring. EGFs offer advantages of having large smokeless capacity, hiding flames, reducing combustion related emissions, lower flame radiation rates, and lower noise.

"The design utilises a tall combustion chamber – 30 metres – to improve combustion efficiency and reduce the amount of visible smoke produced. The totally enclosed design achieves a smokeless capacity of 100 per cent without steam injection, minimising the noise emitted to surroundings.

“The preliminary foundation slab for the EGFs provides additional space – five metres – to allow lay down for construction and is considered to be adequate for shutdown and maintenance routine.”

Falkirk Council gave the reason for the refusal, stating: “Development has commenced on site and includes substantial ground raising which constitutes an engineering operation and requires to be assessed as part of this application. The commencement of ground raising at the site – and on land beyond – means the submitted drawings and supporting documents are inaccurate.

"A full assessment of the development cannot be completed.”

The documents stated Ineos had been given an opportunity to address the inaccuracies but had not yet responded.