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APPENDIX 2 - COPY OF SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE LETTER DATED 4 APRIL 2003
Heads Of Planning
WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING
I am writing to all heads of planning today as it is now time to review and take stock of the relationship between development plans and waste management policy.
It is now just over a year since we published Planning Advice Note 63:
Waste Management Planning. The
PAN noted that planning authorities must consider whether and how urgently development plans should be altered in order to take account of new requirements identified by the Area Waste Plan (
AWP). In fact, the requirement to provide development plan policies and proposals for sites was already set out in
NPPG 10:
Planning and Waste Management, paragraph 25, which explains the requirements of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994.
SEPA's National Waste Plan (
NWP) was launched on 24 February 2003. The
NWP summarises the key facilities which arise from the 11
AWPs. However
AWPs are not site specific and it will now be for planning authorities, possibly through their existing working partnerships with Waste Strategy Area Groups, to begin to address the land use dimension of these plans.
The
PAN accepted that there will be economies of scale in certain locations.
SEPA has begun to address this in relation to the spatial framework arising from the infrastructure needs identified in
AWPs. But is essential that authorities accept joint responsibility for implementation. Where land needed for the management of waste arising in one local authority area is to be provided in another local authority area, the planning authorities concerned must prepare a joint statement indicating their agreement.
There are compelling reasons for change from a culture of disposal to integrated waste management. The first target from the
EU Landfill Directive requires the
UK to reduce, by 2010, the amount of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 75% of the amount produced in 1995. Further targets are to levels of 50% and 35% by 2013 and 2020 respectively. In addition the Scottish Executive has set an overall target of recycling or composting 25% of local authority waste by 2006.
In order that the Executive can assess the likely pace of change, I would be grateful if you could address the issue of development plan alterations in the light of the number of facilities identified to implement
AWPs and supply me with a short note on:
- provision for waste management facilities in your current development plans
- whether this is compatible with the
AWP and
NWP
- and, if not, the steps which you will take to amend the development plan to comply with the
AWP and
NWP and your intended timetable
This information will also be used to inform us on our position at the
UK level. The European Commission remains concerned about the failure of the
UK to draw up waste plans. Scottish Ministers attach a high priority to the need to protect the environment, public health and ensure that informed consideration of development proposals for waste management facilities takes place.
To assist you in formulating a reply, I have attached relevant extracts from the National Waste Plan and
PAN 63.
If you would like to discuss this issue, please contact Graham Marchbank on 0131 244 7525. I would be grateful to receive your reply by the end of June.
Yours sincerely
JAMES G MACKINNON
Chief Planner
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