Augean overcomes difficult start caused by severe weather

The Wetherby-based company reported an improvement in activity from its landfill division and a period of consolidation in its treatment division.

Despite the weak start to the year, overall trading in the first half has been in line with management's expectations, with net debt decreasing from 6m to 5m.

Chief executive Paul Blackler said: "After a slow start to 2010, the momentum in the first half has been encouraging.

"This coupled with our focus on cost discipline has added a level of confidence we can attribute to the future growth prospects of the business as our markets recover."

During the first six months of the year, hazardous waste volumes into the landfill sites increased by nine per cent to 95,053 tonnes reflecting an upturn following a weak January and February.

With the removal of tax exemptions on contaminated land coming to a close in March 2012, the group's pipeline is building up ahead of the deadline date.

Augean is appealing against a council decision blocking it from accepting low- level nuclear waste at its King's Cliffe site, near Peterborough.

Northamptonshire County Council's decision came after Augean submitted a planning application to allow its East Northants resource management facility to dispose of low level waste.

This would include construction waste, mainly soils and rubble, with small amounts of radioactivity, coming from the demolition of offices and the decommissioning of power stations.

It would also include other sources such as hospitals and science and research facilities.

Augean said a Low Level Waste planning inquiry is now due to take place on October 26 over four weeks.

"We are committed to gaining consent and feel confident that our proposals have excellent planning and technical merit.

"The appeal has lengthened the process timetable which is likely to conclude in the first half of 2011," said Mr Blackler.

The planning proposal was supported by planning officers of the county council and by the Environment Agency, which has been urgently seeking cheaper outlets for the low-level nuclear waste arising from demolishing ancillary buildings at nuclear sites undergoing decommissioning.

Protesters said the landfill site was close to the source of Huntingdonshire's water supply.

Augean also announced that Jim Meredith will join the board as a non-executive director in the autumn.

Mr Meredith was formerly chief executive of FCC's UK asset base with revenues of 700m following its acquisition of Waste Recycling Group, the UK's largest landfill and waste disposal business.