Stanlow Refinery, Cheshire

Stanlow Refinery (Cheshire) 

This page focuses on Stanlow Refinery, Cheshire, where we are currently investigating concerns raised by the local community. It aims to provide up-to-date information about the Environment Agency’s regulatory work. It includes the latest updates, key facts, and answers to frequently asked questions.

We regularly receive enquiries about sites of high public interest. 

If you experience environmental issues relating to this or any other site, please contact our 24-hour incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60. Alternatively, you can report online via this link: Report an environmental problem - GOV.UK

Background

Stanlow Refinery, operated by Essar Oil (UK) Limited, is a major industrial facility located on a 770-hectare site in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

• It supplies approximately 16% of the UK’s road transport fuels
• It employs over 900 staff, with around 800 contractors on site

The site is located:

• Adjacent to the Manchester Ship Canal and the Mersey Estuary (SSSI and RAMSAR site)
• Between the M53 motorway (west) and the River Mersey (north)
• Close to the communities of Thornton-le-Moors, Ince, and Elton

The site is regulated under:

• Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) (Environment Agency)
• Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) (jointly with HSE)

The Environment Agency regulate the following activities at the site:

• Odour from site operations
• Noise from site activities
• Emissions to air
• Emissions to water

What is not within the Environment Agency's remit?

The following matters are regulated by other bodies:

• Visual impact
• Operational hours (planning authority)
• Health 

Concerns have been raised regarding odour and operational issues at the refinery. We acknowledge the intensity of the odour and the impact this has had on local residents.

Regulation of this site is a priority. We are maintaining enhanced oversight through:

• Regular performance meetings with the operator
• Regular site inspections
• Investigations in response to complaints
• Review monitoring data

Our Compliance Assessment Reports are published on gov.uk as part of our commitment to transparency.

Our regulatory priorities are to:

• Reduce incidents
• Ensure timely enforcement action
• Minimise environmental impact, including odour

This matter is ongoing, but we have already secured:

• Improvements to odour abatement systems
• Strengthened odour management controls

Yes. A source of the odour has been identified, and the operator was required to implement appropriate abatement measures earlier in 2026. While we continue to receive odour complaints, the number of complaints has been decreasing, indicating that the measures are having a positive effect. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and assess whether any further action is required.

Yes. We are working jointly with:

• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
• Cheshire West and Chester Council

We understand that many people are concerned about the impact of odour on their health. Strong odours can be unpleasant and may affect wellbeing and quality of life. Some people may experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritation or disturbed sleep.

People exposed to strong odours may experience short-term symptoms such as:

• headaches
• nausea
• irritation to the eyes, nose and throat
• disturbed sleep

People with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, may experience increased symptoms.

What should I do if I experience a strong smell?

If you experience strong odour, you can:

• close windows and doors temporarily
• ventilate your home once the odour reduces
• avoid outdoor exposure during strong odour episodes

If you have health concerns, you should contact NHS 111 or your GP.

We assess compliance against the conditions of the site's environmental permit. This includes reviewing emissions monitoring data provided by the operator, carrying out site inspections, investigating incidents and complaints, and assessing whether emissions meet permit emission limits and other regulatory requirements. Where monitoring or inspections identify non-compliance, we may require improvements and take enforcement action where appropriate.

Our officers are:

• Speaking directly with residents
• Collecting reports and observations
• Using this information to inform investigations and enforcement decisions

Yes. We are prosecuting the operator for breaches of water emission limits.

• Guilty pleas were entered on 11 March 2026 (Chester Magistrates’ Court)
• The next hearing is scheduled for 19 November 2026 (Warrington Magistrates’ Court)

We are unable to discuss any ongoing legal matters while court proceedings remain active. The Contempt of Court Act 1981 restricts the publication of information that could prejudice those proceedings.

BAT 52 refers to a specific Best Available Technique (BAT) requirement for oil refineries under the Industrial Emissions Directive and the environmental permitting regime. For Stanlow, it relates to reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when loading and unloading fuels and other volatile hydrocarbons at White Oil Docks

A temporary derogation from Best Available Techniques (BAT 52) expired on 31 October 2025. This continues to assessed during our routine inspections.

We have:

• Taken formal regulatory action
• Required the operator to accelerate improvements

Following inspection on 16 April 2026, a compliant loading facility at the Tranmere terminal is now operational.

We are continuing to keep this under review.

Current technical assessments indicate emissions do not meet the threshold for significant impact under regulatory criteria.

However, we recognise public concern and will act if non-compliance is identified.

Yes. Operator data from 2025 shows:

• Particulate emissions exceeding permitted limits on several occasions

These are currently under investigation, and enforcement action will be taken where appropriate.

We will continue to:

• Monitor site operations closely
• Maintain regulatory oversight
• Take enforcement action where required
• Provide updates on significant developments

We remain committed to transparency and ongoing engagement with the local community.  All information can be found here  Public Registers Online