Hertfordshire County Council
Minerals and Waste Development Framework
Waste Site Allocations
Preferred Options
XXXX 2008
County Development UnitHertfordshire County Council
Contact: 01992 556227
www.hertsdirect.org
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The Technical Appendices, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)/Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening reports which accompany this Preferred Options paper can be viewed at libraries throughout the county and are available from County Hall on request. In order to reduce the amount of resources used in the preparation of these documents they are available on CD by request or on our website: www.hertsdirect.org
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework 1
Consultation and Community Engagement 1
Nomination of sites for waste development plan documents 2
Ways to make a submission 2
Chapter 3 Policy Framework and Drivers 3
National Guidance 3
PPS7 - Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (2004) 3
PPS9 - Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (2005) 4
PPS10 - Planning for Sustainable Waste Management (2005) 4
PPS12 - Local Development Frameworks (2004) 5
PPS25 – Development and Flood Risk (2006) 5
Regional Spatial Strategy 6
Consultation Results 7
Waste Issue - Site Location 7
Waste Issue - Site Assessment 8
Waste Issue - Transport 9
Waste Issue - Facility Numbers 10
Waste Issue - Green Belt 11
Waste Issue - Brownfield Land 12
Waste Issue - Local Designations 12
Waste Issue - Landraise 13
Waste Issue - Mineral Voids 14
Chapter 4 The Site Selection Study 15
Entec Report Summary 15
Initial methodology of the draft Site Selection Issues and Options Paper 15
Revised methodology 17
Stakeholder consultation 17
Planning Guidance 17
Detailed revised methodology 18
Applying the Methodology 19
Initial Screening 19
The Approach to the Initial Screening 19
Application of the Criteria 21
Sites identified as potential Preferred Areas for waste management development 23
Waste arisings and waste capacity study 23
Facilities required 23
Facility footprints 24
Overall recommendations 24
Further Assessment of Sites 26
Strategic Flood Assessment 26
Results 26
Figure 1 – Summary of the site selection process 27
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Chapter 1 Introduction
Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework
1.1 This document is one of a number of waste development documents that together will make up the Waste Local Development Plan for Hertfordshire. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires the preparation of such documents in order to deliver the spatial planning strategy for the future of waste planning in the County.
1.2 The Waste Development Plan will comprise a portfolio of development plan documents, to which the Waste Core Strategy is key. The Core Strategy document has been prepared in advance of this Waste Site Specific Allocations Development Plan Document and the Waste Development Policies Document.
1.3 The Council may also prepare other development plan documents and supplementary planning documents that expand policies set out in a development plan documents or provide additional information.
1.4 The Waste Site Specific Allocations Development Plan Document will identify sites for waste management facilities based on an assessment of criteria. This document will include maps and planning briefs for the development of specific sites.
Consultation and Community Engagement
Issues and Options document
1.5 An issues and alternative options consultation was carried out in September 2004. The consultation and resulting Issues and Options Paper raised a number of issues, for example, how potential waste sites should be identified, alternatives for the treatment of waste and environmental protection measures when dealing with waste. Opinions were sought on the preferred way to deal with the issues by giving people a number of options to choose from. 740 documents were sent out and 306 responses were received.
Other consultation
1.6 Other consultation events organised by Hertfordshire County Council included a stakeholder workshop, several officer group meetings with county and district officers, a survey of relevant industry representatives operating in the Hertfordshire area and informal consultation on the site selection criteria with the waste industry, district and borough councils and other stakeholders.
1.7 These consultations influenced the site selection methodology as well as the sites investigated. The list of possible sites to be considered (see Section 3) was increased through:
· Consultation with district and borough councils, industry and the public in November 2005, and
· Consultation with landowners and waste industry representatives in 2006 and 2007.
These consultations added more sites or confirmed site boundaries to the original list of sites considered.
Nomination of sites for waste development plan documents
1.8 The County Council has made several requests (to industry, landowners, district/borough councils, etc.) for sites to be put forward for consideration in the production of this document. Although the site selection study has already been undertaken, Hertfordshire County Council can still consider other potential sites or areas which might be suitable for waste management facilities prior to the formal submission of the document to the Secretary of State. It is possible for waste industry operators, landowners or other interested parties to put forward further sites for consideration.
1.9 Any nomination should be sent within the consultation time period and be accompanied by a plan showing the extent of the site. Any details regarding the possible use of the site should also be sent.
Ways to make a submission
1.10 The County Council welcomes responses to this document during the consultation period. All responses will be taken into account when preparing the document for submission to the Secretary of State for its examination.
1.11 Responses can be made in a number of ways:
· using the response form,
· electronically via the County Council’s website or,
· via email .
Chapter 2 Policy Framework and Drivers
National Guidance
2.1 Planning Policy Statements (PPS’s) set out the Government’s national policies on different aspects of land use planning in England. The policies in PPSs should be taken into account by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development documents.
2.2 A national policy audit has been completed as part of the preparation of the Waste Development Plan which summarises all relevant policies and which provides actions for the County to achieve when preparing its Development Plan Documents. The policy audit is part of the evidence base for the waste planning document preparation.
2.3 The following PPSs are particularly relevant to this document; 7 (Sustainable Development in Rural Areas), 9 (Biodiversity and Geological Conservation), 10 (Planning for Sustainable Waste Management), 12 (Local Development Frameworks) and 25 (Development and Flood Risk) and have been summarised and discussed below.
PPS7 - Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (2004)
2.4 PPS7 provides policies that apply to rural areas, including country towns and villages and the wider, largely undeveloped countryside up to the fringes of larger urban areas.
2.5 Objectives of PPS7 relate to raising the quality of life and the environment in rural areas, promoting sustainable development patterns, promoting the economic performance of regions and promoting sustainable, diverse and adaptable agriculture sectors.
2.6 Key principles in PPS7 that are relevant to this document (and the Waste Development Control Policies DPD) and that have been taken into consideration when allocating sites include:
· locating facilities so they have good access to transport networks, protecting the countryside (eg Green belt principles) and re-using brown field land where possible,
· promoting sustainable communities through supporting economic activity and employment opportunities, and
· supporting development that delivers diverse and sustainable farming enterprises.
PPS9 - Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (2005)
2.7 PPS9 provides policies on the protection of biodiversity and geological conservation through the planning system. Through following the key principles of PPS9, local authorities when preparing local development documents or assessing development proposals can ensure that the potential impacts of planning decisions on biodiversity and geological conservation are fully considered.
2.8 With regard to the selection of sites for potential waste management facilities, the methodology has taken into consideration the relevant principles of PPS9 in that:
· site selection was based on the most up-to-date information about the environmental characteristics of each site/area, and
· through the suggested type and location of facilities, a strategic approach to conservation, enhancement and restoration of biodiversity has been taken.
The site selection methodology found in sections 3.4 – 3.6 of this report explains this more fully.
PPS10 - Planning for Sustainable Waste Management (2005)
2.9 Part of the role of PPS10 is to provide policies and directives for planning bodies and authorities in planning for waste facilities.
In identifying land and/or sites suitable for new or enhanced waste management facilities, PPS10 guides that site selection should:
· be inline with the pattern of waste management facilities and apportionment as set out in the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS),
· demonstrate how capacity equivalent to at least ten years of the annual rates set out in the RSS could be provided,
· consider a broad range of locations, looking to locate facilities together with complementary activities,
· consider opportunities for on-site management of waste where it arises,
· give priority to the re-use of previously-developed land, and redundant agricultural and forestry buildings and their curtilages,
· identify what type of facility would be suitable on the site taking into consideration the physical and environmental constraints of a site or area, e.g. land ownership, neighbouring uses, transport infrastructure, noise, odour, vibration, flora and fauna etc, and
· consider the cumulative effects of previous waste disposal facilities on the community, including adverse environmental, social or economic impacts.
The requirements of PPS10 have been included in the revised methodology for site selection (see Section 3.4.3 of this report).
PPS12 - Local Development Frameworks (2004)
2.10 As mentioned in Section 1.1, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires the preparation of a local development framework (LDF) to deliver the spatial planning strategy for the future of minerals and waste planning in the County.
2.11 PPS12 sets out the Government’s policy on the preparation of LDDs which in the case of Hertfordshire will comprise the Minerals and Waste LDF.
2.12 The Site Specific Allocations document is one of a number of LDDs that together will make up the Minerals and Waste LDF.
2.13 In accordance with PPS12 this document is at the ‘Preferred Options’ stage. During the Issues and Options consultation stage in September 2004, preferred options on dealing with site selection and allocation for waste management facilities (among other things) were determined and are now presented in this document.
2.14 After consultation on this document, further changes may be made prior to the submission of the County’s final position on site allocations for independent examination and further public consultation.
PPS25 – Development and Flood Risk (2006)
2.15 Land in England is either located in Flood Risk Zone 1, 2 or 3 with Zone 3 having the greatest risk of flooding.
2.16 The County has the overall aim to steer new development to Flood Zone 1. Flood Zones 2 and 3 can be considered for development provided it is demonstrated that no suitable sites exist in Flood Zone 1 and after carrying out sequential tests and possibly exception tests. Sequential tests are risk-based tests which demonstrate no sites in Zone 1 are suitable and exception tests are required when sites in Zone 3 are proposed. For an exception test to be passed, it must be demonstrated that the development provides wider sustainability benefits to the community that outweigh flood risk.
2.17 The County is required to prepare LDDs that set out policies for the allocation of sites and the control of development which avoid flood risk to people and property where possible and manage it elsewhere, reflecting the approach to managing flood risk in PPS25 and in the RSS.
2.18 The site selection process ruled out land located in Zones 2 and 3 see Section 3.5.2 for further explanation.
Regional Spatial Strategy
2.19 The Spatial Planning vision for the East of England is to sustain and improve the quality of life of all people who live in, work in or visit the region, by developing a more sustainable, prosperous and outward- looking region, while respecting its diversity and enhancing assets. When the RSS is adopted the policy objectives and apportionment will be incorporated into the Waste Development Documents (the Waste Core Strategy).
2.20 Once adopted, the RSS will replace those parts of current Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9, 9(a) and 9(b) and for East Anglia (RPG6) that fall within the East of England.
2.21 The Regional Waste Management Strategy forms part of the Integrated Regional Strategy and many of the policies are now contained within the RSS.
2.22 The RSS (proposed changes document 2006) contains a number of policies which have been taken into consideration and guided the preparation of this document. The relevant parts of the policies are included below.
Policy WM1: Waste Management Objectives
2.23 In implementing the overall vision and objectives of the RSS waste management policies should be based on the following objectives:
· to ensure timely and adequate provision of the facilities required for the recovery and disposal of the region’s waste and for a reducing quantum of wastes imported into the region, and
· to recognise the particular locational needs of some types of waste management facilities in determining planning applications and defining green belt boundaries, and that these locational needs, together with the wider environmental and economic benefits of sustainable waste management, should be given significant weight in determining whether proposal should be given planning permission.
Policy WM3: Imported Waste
2.24 Through waste Development Plan Documents, local authorities should provide for an annual tonnage of imported waste in addition to that arising within their area, reflecting an apportionment of waste imported from London for landfill.
Policy WM4: Regional Waste Apportionment
2.25 Through Development Plan Documents, local authorities should take responsibility for waste arising within their own administrative areas (tonnage figures for Hertfordshire provided in the RSS are set out in the Core Strategy).