The 2008 Planning Act introduced a new planning system for applications to build Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in England and Wales. The system covers applications for major energy generation, railways, ports, major roads, airports and water and hazardous waste infrastructure. Under this system, national policy on NSIPs will be set out in a series of new National Policy Statements (NPSs); these can be reviewed by the Secretary of State if there is a change in circumstances. Currently the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) examine and determine applications for NSIPs.
However, under the coalition agreement and through the emerging Localism Bill, the IPC will be abolished and replaced with a Major Infrastructure Planning Unit within the Planning Inspectorate. This will examine development consent applications for nationally significant infrastructure and then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State as to whether consent should be granted. The NPS will be unaffected by these changes and will continue to provide the policy framework for decision makers. Applications will be assessed using criteria on national need, benefits and impacts set out in the NPS, and consideration of evidence put forward on potential local effects.
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Planning Aid Wales is the independent charity providing Planning Aid services in Wales, with core funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.
17th July 2011 – 20th October 2011: Consultation on draft National Policy Statements for Hazardous Waste
The draft Hazardous Waste NPS covers the construction and alteration of facilities for the disposal and/or recovery of hazardous waste in England, with the exception of nuclear and other radioactive waste.
This type of waste is defined as any waste that has one or more hazardous properties that may cause harm to humans or the environment. Hazardous waste can be found in many everyday items such as televisions, batteries, computers and refrigerators and when these come to the end of their lives they need to be disposed of in a sustainable manner. Hazardous waste also comes from other more obvious sources such as the oil and chemical industries. In 2008 hazardous waste accounted for 3% of all waste in England and Wales – though a small proportion, this amounts to 4.8 million tonnes. This level is likely to continue as new EU measures designed to improve the management of waste take effect and increase the amount of waste defined as hazardous and therefore requiring separate management. It is important that there are facilities to recycle and dispose of it.
The NPS will be applied where the capacity of the proposed facility (or increase in capacity on existing facilities) exceeds more than 100,000 tonnes per annum where the disposal is at landfill or deep storage. In all other cases the NPS will be applied where the capacity (or increase in capacity) is 30,000 tonnes or more of hazardous waste per annum.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this consultation.
