RSS East Of England Plan - Broads Authority

East of England Plan 77
POLICY WM7: Provision for Hazardous Waste and other Regionally
Significant Facilities
Through the review of the RSS EERA should consider the need for additional waste management capacity of
regional or sub-regional significance and identify the provision required for the management of hazardous waste.
Proposals should take account of:
• the likely arisings and hazardous waste types in the East of England;
• the implications of intra and inter regional movement of hazardous waste;
• the volumes of hazardous waste predicted to arise from previously developed land and opportunities and
technologies to increase the treatment of contaminated construction and demolition waste, including soils, on
site;
• the possible need for interim measures to manage hazardous waste; and;
• provision for the management of hazardous waste, including treatment and landfill.
Proposals for new facilities should reflect the need for hazardous waste management capacity and considerations
of need should carry significant weight when determining planning applications.
11.22 In 2006 the East of England produced around 392,000 tonnes of hazardous waste. Trends are difficult to identify, but
there are indications that the quantity of hazardous waste produced in the region is decreasing. Information from the
Environment Agency shows that oily wastes and construction and demolition wastes account for nearly half of all
hazardous waste. The development of large areas of previously developed land will continue to generate construction
and demolition waste. Whilst there is an expectation that much of this will be treated on site, some will require specialist
recovery or disposal. A shortage of suitable plant and/or sites for hazardous waste management and disposal could
compromise the delivery of planned growth, particularly in Thames Gateway.
11.23 From July 2004 the EU Landfill Directive required that landfill sites are classified into one of three types: inert waste, nonhazardous
waste e.g. most household waste and hazardous waste, and the co-disposal of hazardous and nonhazardous
waste was prohibited. As a consequence, the region currently has very limited treatment and disposal facilities
for hazardous waste. More treatment and landfill facilities will be required to meet the objectives of the Landfill Directive for
treatment of waste and the need for additional hazardous waste treatment plants and landfill sites is a matter of regional
significance, particularly given the scale of growth in the region.
11.24 A strategy for managing hazardous waste, which takes account of these and possible inter-regional issues, is urgently
needed through the review of the RSS. It should identify the type, scale and broad location of facilities required. Based on
current data, the following wastes require management:
• Construction and demolition waste, including asbestos and contaminated soils, and treated wood;
• Oily wastes, batteries and accumulators, and end of life vehicles;
• Chemical processing wastes, and marine wastes;
• Waste water treatment and water industry wastes;
• Waste electrical and electronic equipment, including TVs and fluorescent tubes.
11.25 Pending the development of locational or other guidance in RSS, and subject to other relevant policy considerations,
proposals for the management of hazardous waste should be encouraged.