The firm at the centre of a row over storage of ammonium nitrate at Chatham Docks says it was never told it needed a special permit to store the potentially explosive material.

Arcelor Mittal, based at Chatham Docks, says it consulted the council about it two years ago, but was told it was the responsibility of the port authority.

Ancelor Mittal Kent Wire Ltd and its subsidiary, TSS, have been at the centre of a storm of protest about plans to store the chemical.

The company says it has been handling the nitrates at Chatham Docks since early 2006. It says the chemical is low grade and is taken from the docks directly to farms for use as fertiliser.

Arcelor Mittal insists that storage of ammonium nitrates, using laid-down procedures in purpose-built stores, presents no danger to the public. Farm-grade chemicals of this kind however, have been used for bomb-making by dissident groups, including the IRA.

Medway Council has said the responsibility was always on the operator to apply for any consent. It has now stopped the company accepting any further shipments of the chemicals.

~ Read more on this at medwaymessenger.co.uk >>>