HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

Hazardous Substances and Contaminated Land
6.19 The Local Planning Authority must take account of potential safety hazards arising through the
use and storage of materials which may constitute such a potential safety hazard. Also of concern is the
extent of unused land which is polluted from either industrial processes or the tipping of waste.
Contamination may give rise to hazards which put at risk people working on the site, the occupiers and
users of the buildings and land. Contaminants may also escape from the site to cause air and water
pollution and pollution of nearby land. Under the Environment Act, a new regime for the identification and
management of contaminated land is being implemented. Although land contamination is subject to
controls by the Environment Agency and the Environmental Protection Unit of the Council, it can also be a
material planning consideration. The responsibility for providing information on whether the land
allocated for development is contaminated rests primarily with the developer. When determining a
planning application for land which might be contaminated, the Local Planning Authority will need to
consider whether the proposal takes proper account of the contamination. It may be necessary for the
developer to carry out site investigations and in certain circumstances, to make detailed investigation or to
put forward specific remedial measures before a planning application is determined. Contaminated land
which remains untreated can prevent the introduction of uses which involve public access (for example
open air recreation in the Green Belt) or restrict development potential in the developed area of the
Borough. The Local Planning Authority will apply the precepts of PPG23, ‘Planning and Pollution
Control’ 1994. The LPA must take account of potential safety hazards arising through the use and storage
of materials which may constitute such a potential safety hazard.
OE11
(i)
(ii)
PLANNING PERMISSION WILL NOT BE GRANTED FOR PROPOSALS WHICH:
INVOLVE THE USE, STORAGE, INSTALLATION OR PROCESSING OF EXPLOSIVE,
INFLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE, TOXIC OR OTHER HARMFUL/HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCES WHICH ARE A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK TO EXISTING OR
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN THE VICINITY; OR
INVOLVE AN INCREASE IN THE USE BY THE PUBLIC OF CONTAMINATED LAND
WHICH IS TO REMAIN UNTREATED,
UNLESS THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY IS SATISFIED THAT APPROPRIATE
AMELIORATIVE MEASURES PROPOSED CAN OVERCOME (i) AND (ii) ABOVE.
Energy Conservation
6.20 The consumption of energy has only recently been considered a critical factor in the development
of urban areas. 96% of the UK's man-made carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels
for energy use. Carbon dioxide is a major contributor to greenhouse gases which increase the threat of
global climate change. There is considerable scope for improvements to be made in energy conservation
and efficiency with which energy is used. A building constructed now will consume substantial quantities
of heat and power during its lifetime and this factor is taken into account when approval is sought under the
Building Regulations. Where such factors are subject to planning control or influence the Local Planning
Authority will ensure that the interests of energy conservation are taken fully into account. However, the
introduction of renewable energy systems such as solar heating and other energy conservation measures
may have implications for other policies of the Plan, in particular those relating to design, (see Chapter 5).
It may therefore be necessary for a design solution to be sought which reconciles the objectives both of
energy conservation and design controls. Solar collectors or panels may not be appropriate for example on
buildings of architectural or historic interest or within Conservation Areas. In applying Policy OE12, the
Local Planning Authority will have regard to PPG22 'Renewable Energy' (February 1993) and the Home
Energy Conservation Act 1995.
OE12 THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY WILL EXPECT THE DESIGN AND LAYOUT
OF ALL RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS TO TAKE
INTO ACCOUNT THE REQUIREMENTS OF ENERGY CONSERVATION.
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan