Local Plan - List of Revisions

B8.3

B8.3/A

3202/B26

JRSP policy 29 sets the context for the waste management policies of this Plan. The Joint Committee for Strategic Planning and Transportation has resolved to review policy 29 in order to provide an appropriate framework for co-ordinated implementation of strategic waste planning policy by the four planning authorities of the former Avon sub-region. The outcome of the review is to be incorporated in the first review of the Structure Plan. An early review of the adopted Structure Plan is anticipated in the light of the recently published Regional Planning Guidance. A sub-regional investigation of waste management in the former Avon area is being undertaken and will be used by the four Unitary Authorities to inform the planning process; this study will facilitate an appropriate review of the Plan.

B8.4

B8.4/E

Data for Council-collected wastes are reliable and readily available. In respect of other major waste "streams" – industrial and commercial wastes and construction and demolition waste – the position is less reliable. The most recent comprehensive study of arisings of these wastes is the Environment Agency’s Strategic Waste Management Assessment 2000 (SWMA). GG Other available data is old and its reliability is questionable. Data in the SWMA are is presented largely at county level or above. Figures for Bath & North East Somerset are therefore subsumed within an aggregate figure for former Avon. Whilst data have has been extrapolated from the SWMA figures to arrive at an estimate for Bath & North East Somerset, there is potentially a wide margin for error and the estimates cannot be taken as being more than indicative. Details of the movement of Council collected wastes are given in paragraph B8.5. Information relating to the movement of other waste streams out of Bath & North East Somerset or into the District from other areas is not readily available, but may be forthcoming from the investigations of the Regional Technical Advisory Body on Waste and those to be undertaken as part of the sub-regional study on waste management in the 'Avon' area. In view of the limited waste management facilities that are available within the District, it is likely that currently only small amounts of waste are imported into the District from other areas for either treatment or disposal.

B8.6-8.7

B8.7/A

Editorial changes

B8.7 Approximately 54,000 tonnes of construction and demolition wastes were deposited at the two active landfills in the district (at Wellow and Camerton) in 1998/99. The average over a 3-year period is about 45,000 tonnes. On the basis of recent research and having regard to the absence in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset of exempt sites or non-inert landfills requiring daily cover, it is estimated that this figure represents about 65% of the total arisings of waste in this category. The remaining 35% comprises wastes which are recycled or re-used. On this basis it is estimated for B&NES that arisings of wastes in this category typically are in the order of 70,000 tonnes each year.

B8.9

The SWMA indicates that 1,000 tonnes of special wastes were transferred from the District in 1998-99. There are no waste management facilities licensed to accept special wastes in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset. It is considered therefore that this figure broadly represents arisings in this waste stream.

Para B8.10

B8.10/A

Table 5 sets out in broad terms how wastes arising in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset currently are managed.

Para 8.11 heading

B8.11/A

Editorial changes

PREDICTED WASTE ARISINGS IN B&NES BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET DURING THE PLAN PERIOD

B8.12

Editorial change

At present the trend in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset is an increase in arisings of about 3% per annum. This estimate accords with the National Waste Strategy estimate for increases in arisings in this category.

Para B8.13

B8.13/A

Editorial change

The number of dwellings in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset is predicted to rise from 71,200 in 2001 to 73,700 by 2006 and 75,600 by 2011. The B&NES Bath & North East Somerset Waste Strategy suggests that the average household produces about 1.24 tonnes of waste annually. Based on this figure and taking account of annual increases in waste arisings of 3%, it is considered that the figures set out in Table 6 should be added to as follows: (table)

B8.14

B8.14/A

Editorial change

Preliminary forecasts of employment growth have been used in an attempt to predict future change in waste arisings. The majority of employment growth for B&NES Bath & North East Somerset is likely to be within the commercial sector. The largest growth area (computing) is not likely to be the major generator of waste materials. Other likely growth areas such as general services and retailing are more significant. Whilst overall employment growth may be in the order of 15%, it is considered that the major waste generating employment sectors may account for some 10% of growth. On this basis it is provisionally estimated that commercial waste arisings may increase over the Plan period by some 10% from about 86,000 tonnes in 1998 to about 95,000 tonnes in 2011. Industrial employment may continue to decline, and a 23% decrease in arisings in this sector is possible. Industrial waste arisings could therefore decrease from about 92,000 tonnes in 1998 to about 74,000 tonnes in 2011. Overall there may be a reduction in industrial and commercial waste arisings of around 6,000 tonnes (approximately 4%) over the Plan period.

B8.20

B8.20/A

Editorial change

On the basis of these provisional data, by 2011/12 arisings of industrial/commercial and construction/demolition wastes could result in about 240,000 tonnes requiring management of one kind or another. By 2011/12 total annual waste arisings in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset could be in the order of 375,000 tonnes – an overall increase in total waste arisings of about 10% on 1999/2000 figures. The biggest growth area is in Council-collected household and trade wastes.

B8.21

5001/B190

The Strategy also sets out in Chapter 3 of Part 2 the role of the land-use planning system in achieving the far-reaching changes required towards more sustainable management of waste. This chapter of the Local Plan therefore contains a range of land use policies aimed at meeting these targets.

B8.22

B8.22/A

Editorial changes

B8.26

B8.26/A

3202/B22

It is considered likely that the Aggregates Levy and related initiatives will result in increased demand over the Plan period for sites for production of recycled or secondary materials arising from construction industry and mineral wastes. Whilst Bath & North East Somerset is not an aggregate producer, it could nevertheless contribute to provision of facilities of this type if appropriate sites are available in the District. Moreover, policies to encourage source separation of wastes could make a valuable indirect contribution to overall supply.

B8.27

B8.27/A

Editorial change

Packaging constitutes about 9% of Council-collected and commercial and industrial wastes. Annual arisings nationally are estimated to be approximately 10m tonnes. About 4.5m tonnes arises in the Council-collected waste stream. Having regard to the data set out in tables above, it is estimated that around 21,500 tonnes of packaging waste arises in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset every year. About 10,000 tonnes of this arises as MSW.

B8.31 & heading

B8.31/B

Editorial changes

B8.35

5001/B46

Stowey Quarry is an active surface mineral working (dimension stone). Part of the site has planning permission or restoration by this use of inert waste materials, although this use is dormant at present. Land adjoining the quarry is identified in Section C6 (Minerals) as suitable for extension of the workings. It is estimated that the potential voidspace at Stowey Quarry could exceed 1Mm3 1.7Mm3. Provided the development accords with policies set out below, this would give a capacity for disposal of some 1.5 M tonnes of inert waste and would provide about 20 years capacity for disposal of such wastes arising in Bath & North East Somerset.

B8.38

B8.38/A

Editorial change

With the exceptions of a commercial and industrial waste transfer station near Windsor Bridge in Bath and a small "factory curtilage" station at Midsomer Norton, B&NES Bath & North East Somerset operates all transfer stations and HW&RCs in the district. The road-rail transfer facility for Council-collected wastes is at Westmorland Road in Bath. There is a combined HW&RC/transfer station/MRF at Bath and a HW&RC/transfer station at Midsomer Norton together with a HW&RC at Keynsham. Development of Western Riverside in Bath will result in the need to relocate the HW&RC/waste transfer/MRF facilities in the city.

B8.39

B8.39/A

Editorial change

The Strategic Waste Management Assessment 2000 states that the capacity of existing open-gate non-inert waste transfer stations in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset is 534,000 tpa. This figure includes the Westmorland Road railhead facility.

8.40

B8.40/A

Editorial

The 2 composting sites in the District have has a combined capacity of about 10,000 tonnes per annum. Both The sites are is temporary and replacement sites may be needed during the Plan period. In any event, greater capacity is needed to meet statutory recycling targets for recovery of household wastes.

B8.42

B8.42/A

Editorial change

On the basis of existing data and having regard to material considerations such as the National Waste Strategy, statutory recycling targets and forthcoming legislation, it is considered that the following are likely to be needed for management of B&NES’ Bath & North East Somerset’s wastes during the Plan period:

B8.50

B8.50/C

Editorial

B&NES Bath & North East Somerset Waste Management Plan and draft Recycling Plan

This document currently is under review. In October 2001, the Council adopted the concept of zero waste as a long term goal. The concept, which envisages maximum recycling and re-use of waste with no disposal of residual and re-use of waste, will underpin the review of the Waste Management Strategy. A revised combined Plan will be available for consultation in 2001. The waste policies of the Plan assist towards realisation of this goal as far as it relates to the use of land.

B8.57

B8.57/C

In accordance with the proximity principle, the importation movement of waste into or out of the District for processing and/or disposal is unsustainable. Development of all facilities must however represent the BPEO for the waste streams to be managed. That is the Council’s first position. However, in anticipating the development of a joint approach to implementation of strategic policy, which would justify elevation of the proximity principle to the level of the former Avon area, an exception to this stance is warranted in the case of development of facilities to deal with wastes arising in the sub-region, particularly for example in respect of provision of reprocessing / manufacturing facilities and infrastructure for recycled materials. However, in anticipating recycled materials, PPG10 requires Waste Planning Authorities to establish the amounts of waste which will need to be managed over a period of at least 10 years. It is expected that the sub-regional investigations to be undertaken for the ‘Avon’ area will provide such data and form the basis of an approach to the proximity principle at this level. In all cases however, development of such a facility waste management facilities must however represent the BPEO for the waste streams to be managed.

Policy WM.1

WM.1/A

5010/B276

Development of waste management facilities will only be permitted where the proposal represents the Best Practicable Environmental Option for the waste stream(s) to be managed, having regard to the precautionary principle, the waste hierarchy, the proximity principle, regional self sufficiency and the development will not have having an unacceptable adverse impact on the environment or local amenities.

Policy WM.2

WM.2/A

3202/B28

On the basis of the Proximity Principle, proposals for development of facilities for management of wastes arising outside the district will not be permitted unless the proposal represents the Best Practicable Environmental Option for the waste stream(s) to be managed.

New para B8.59A

B8.59A/A

340/B4

In determining whether a particular waste management facility represents BPEO, the Council will take into account the long term vision and aspiration for the Council to achieve zero waste and whether the proposed facility will assist in achieving this by moving up the waste hierarchy wherever possible.

B8.61

B8.61/A

Editorial

The scope for effectiveness of the town and country planning system in reduction and re-use of solid or liquid wastes is limited. The planning system is principally concerned with regulating the development of land in the public interest. Waste reduction and re-use is a matter largely of change in socio-economic behaviour and values. The Government has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at reducing waste including the Producer Responsibility for Packaging Waste legislation. Whilst this and other initiatives will have some impact on future need for waste management facilities, its effect is at present uncertain. The Council intends to build on its record in recycling by introducing trials to collect and compost green waste and investigate ways to reduce, repair and re-use wastes through implementation of policies and setting of targets in its Waste Management Strategy (see Policy WM.7).

Policy WM.3

WM.3/C

5010/B2, 5010/B273

B8.66

B8.66/A

Editorial change

B8.66 Having regard to the Council’s commitment and growing reputation in household waste recycling, it is important that every effort is made to build on current success. Central government has, for B&NES Bath & North East Somerset, imposed statutory performance standards for household waste recycling of 33% by 2003/4 and 36% by 2005/6 – far in excess of national targets of 25% by 2005 and 30% by 2010. These targets are likely to increase demand in the district for new or expanded Household Waste Recycling Centre facilities (see Policy WM 10).

Policy WM.4

WM.4/D

Policy WM.5

WM.5/A

3124/B4

Policy WM.6

WM.6/A

3202/B32

Development involving the recovery of materials from wastes brought to landfill sites will only be permitted for the consented duration of the landfill development provided the recovery of materials will not conflict with completion of the site within its scheduled timescale and the site is close to the source of the waste(s) to be recovered and the markets to be served supplied with the recovered materials.

B8.73

B8.73/C

5001/B13, 5001/B114

Household Waste Recycling Centres (HW&RCs – formerly called "Civic Amenity" sites) have a crucial role to play in meeting B&NES’ Bath & North East Somerset’s recycling targets and making management of waste generated in the district more sustainable. The Council has a legal obligation to provide HW&RCs. In development terms, the principal planning issue raised by HW&RCs centres on traffic (access, manoevering, loading and offloading). HW&RC must be sitee carefully to avoid traffic congestion and unsustainable cross-city car journeys. Other potential issues include noise and odour. Alongside general development control considerations in policy WM.191, the criteria for consideration of any new site are set out in policy WM117.

Policy WM.7

WM.7/A

3126/B31

Proposals for development of Household Waste Recycling Centres will only be permitted where:

B8.76

B8.76/A

Editorial change

Regardless of scale, all have an important role to play in making the management of B&NES’ Bath & North East Somerset’s waste more sustainable. An emphasis on composting is particularly timely having regard to the implications of the Landfill Directive for the landfilling of bio-degradable wastes.

Policy WM.8

WM.8/C

3126/B32, 2698/B2 (all revisions)

Proposals for the development of Composting facilities will only be permitted where:

Policy WM.9

WM.9/A

3126/B33

Proposals for the development of Community composting facilities will only be permitted where:

B8.82 (what should be)

B8.82/A

Editorial change

B9 8.82 Energy can be recovered from waste either by direct treatment or as a by-product of other forms of waste management. The most common form of direct treatment is mass burn incineration, but other methods of thermal processing such as gasification, pyrolysis and plasma arc heating are emerging. By-products are combustible gases (principally methane) recovered from landfills and anaerobic digestion - a form of accelerated composting. The gases can be collected and burned to generate electricity.

B8.83

B8.83/A

5001/B14, 5001/B47

Depending on the scale of the plant, mass burn incinerators commonly need a guaranteed feedstock of 100,000 – 400,000 tonnes per annum and long-term disposal contracts in order to make investment in development and the cost of staffing, running and maintaining the plant economically viable. An average mass burn will require a site of between 3 and 5 hectares and will involve construction of a large

B8.84

B8.84/A

2226/B7, 2226/B5

It is considered in some quarters that an increasing emphasis on recycling and composting, which may remove materials with high calorific value from the potential feedstock, casts doubt on the long-term future of mass burn incineration. On the other hand, the consequences of implementation of the Landfill Directive may encourage more proposals for this type of development to come forward. Having regard to comparatively small arisings of suitable waste in B&NES, the overarching policy direction centring on recycling and composting, and the lack of suitable sites in suitable locations, it is considered unlikely that proposals for development of a mass burn incinerator in the district will come forward during the Plan period.

FN16/A

2226/B7

Pyrolysis involves the heating of waste in the absence of oxygen. It has the advantage of being adaptable to small waste arisings and having a comparatively low incidence of emissions to the environment. The result of the process is the conversion of the waste into a combustible fuel gas together with combustible oils and a small quantity of ash. industrial building, including a prominent chimney stack.

B8.86

B8.86/A

Editorial change

It is considered that direct thermal treatment of wastes arising in B&NES Bath & North East Somerset should more appropriately take the form of these smaller, more flexible treatment methods. Treatment of wastes by these methods would follow recycling and composting, focusing on wastes unsuitable for such treatments, and consequently would be unacceptable other than in a supporting role. Proposals for thermal treatment without energy recovery would be unsustainable and unacceptable.

Policy WM.10

WM.10/A

3126/B34

Proposals for development of Facilities for thermal treatment with energy recovery will only be permitted where:

Policy WM.11

WM.11/A

3126/B35

Proposals for development of Facilities for thermal treatment of wastes without pre-treatment recovery of re-useable, recyclable or compostable materials and without energy recovery will not be permitted.

B8.90

B8.90/B

3202/B35

The District historically has experienced intensive extraction of coal, stone and fuller’s earth by underground mining. In contrast, surface mineral working has and continues to be low-key in nature. This is partly attributable to the geology of the district and the absence of deposits of limetones generally suitable for volume production of aggregates. In consequence there are very few mineral working voids of significance. At present time there are only 2 operational surface mineral working sites: Upper Lawn Quarry at Combe Down and Stowey Quarry at Bishop Sutton. Both primarily are produce building and walling stone producers, but in recent years Stowey quarry has also produced a large quantity of material for aggregate purposes. There is are a small number of disused or dormant sites including Queen Charlton Quarry near Keynsham and Mount Pleasant Quarry at Combe Down.

Policy WM.12

WM.12/B

1427/B75

B8.92

1427/B79

B8.96

B8.96/A

Editorial

In the vast majority of cases the grant of planning permission is conditional. Conditions are imposed to control elements of the development which, without regulation, would make it unacceptable. Planning obligations under s.106 of the Act may be sought for the same reason but in respect of off-site matters such as road improvements. Conditions must be necessary, relevant to planning, relevant to the development, enforceable, precise and reasonable in all other respects. A high-quality planning application, made in the light of pre-application discussion with the WPA, may reduce the number of issues needing to be controlled by condition. It is important therefore that planning applications address the full range of issues likely to be raised by the proposed development, including the transport matters covered by Policy M.9 in the Minerals Chapter.

B8.103

B8.103/A

1427/B82

The 4.3 ha site comprises a closed and poorly restored former municipal landfill. The Environment Agency has confirmed that the entire former landfill lies outside the floodplain of the River Avon, but that the access road remains in the flood plain. They have further advised that the road can be protected by providing compensatory modification of the northern boundary of the site. It is proposed in paragraphs C1.22 and C1.23 of the Green Belt chapter to amend the Green Belt boundary which cuts through the northern 3^rd of the site. This will enable the whole site to be redeveloped and put to beneficial use.

B8.106

B8.106/B

670/B4