Guidance: Using unbound incinerator bottom ash aggregate in construction: RPS 325
Summary
The Environment Agency has updated its regulatory position statement on the use of unbound incinerator bottom ash aggregate (IBAA) in construction. The guidance confirms that an environmental permit is still legally required for relevant waste and groundwater activities, but enforcement action is unlikely if the RPS conditions are met. The update also clarifies restrictions on use beneath residential buildings and gardens, and removes a previous distance-based condition relating to watercourses.
Why it matters
This is relevant to surveyors assessing site constraints, construction materials and environmental compliance on residential schemes. It is particularly important where IBAA may be proposed for roads, cycleways, pathways or other groundworks near homes.
Key points
- RPS 325 concerns the use of unbound incinerator bottom ash aggregate in construction.
- An environmental permit is still legally required for certain waste and groundwater activities.
- The Environment Agency may not normally enforce if the RPS conditions are met.
- IBAA must not be used underneath any residential building or garden.
- A previous 25-metre watercourse condition has been removed from the guidance.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
