Chemical store 'already at docks'

Medway Police Station is near the storage site

A company has started controversial plans to store hazardous chemicals near a residential area without gaining permission, a council has revealed.

In April Arcelor Mittal Kent Wire applied to Medway Council for approval to store 2,500 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at Chatham docks.

The plans were criticised by the local MP and residents over safety concerns.

But the council revealed stocks of the potentially-explosive farm fertiliser have already been moved onto the site.

The storage unit is near homes, a shopping centre and the police headquarters.

'Urgent attention'

An official hazardous consent application was lodged with Medway Council in April.

A spokesman for the council said they had not been previously aware that the farm fertiliser, which can also be used in bombs, was being stored at the docks.

He said: "Following enquiries made to the company's agent, Medway Council discovered on Thursday that this substance has already been brought into the docks without the statutory permission.

"The council immediately alerted all the agencies consulted on the original hazardous substances licence application and urged them to give this matter their most urgent attention.

"The council is investigating what action it can take to resolve this apparent breach of legislation."

'Legal action'

The council was committed to taking "whatever action is necessary" to ensure local people are safe, he added.

"This could include taking legal action to ensure the chemical is removed," he said.

Several residents have submitted objections to the council and hundreds more have signed a petition against the chemical store.

Some fear a disaster such as the one in Toulouse, France, in 2001 could happen in Medway.

A chemical factory storing 200 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded, killing 29 people, injuring 700, and leaving a crater 50m (164 ft) wide.

Paul Clark, MP for Gillingham, launched a campaign to inform his constituents about the plans earlier this week.

Arcelor Mittal Kent Wire is part of Mittal Steel, the world's largest steel producer.

The company has not made any comments about the plans.