It is the second time the organisation has consulted over its proposal to grant a permit to Veolia ES South Downs Ltd.

Last year campaigners were overjoyed when a similar application by the agency was quashed by the High Court in a legal challenge.

Since then the EA has gone back to the drawing board and now the local community will have another chance to comment on the organisation's draft decision to grant the permit.

The Environment Agency decided to re-advertise and open the consultation again after being made aware of a minor omission in an original newspaper advert about the opening of the latest consultation.

This will mean anyone can now respond who may have missed the chance to do so previously.

Chris Wick, from the Environment Agency, said, "We recognise that the Newhaven incinerator is of major local interest; this latest consultation process alone has so far resulted in around 800 responses.

"In re-opening the consultation I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has written in to date and assure them that their letters are being considered.

"It is not necessary for people to re-submit their comments.

"We are particularly grateful to those who have brought this administrative error to our attention."

The proposed permit and the decision document that explains the proposed permit conditions and how the Environment Agency made its draft decision are available at the Environment Agency office in Chatsworth Road, Worthing, Newhaven Library and Lewes District Council offices.

They can also been seen online at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/consultations

The public now has a further 20 working days from the date of the public notice (November 7) to make any further representations before the Environment Agency finalises its decision.

The organisation stressed that anyone who saw the initial advertisement and sent in their views need not write in a second time.

Comments should be sent to Simon Holbrook at the Environment Agency, Richard Fairclough, House, Knutsford Road, Warrington, WA4 1HG.
All comments will be considered before the agency makes its final announcement.