The Essex and Southend Replacement Waste Local Plan Revised Preferred Approach was recently available for public consultation until 30 July 2015. 

The document set out the preferred approach on a strategy for waste development until 2032.  It proposed to safeguard existing waste capacity, allocate sites suitable for waste facilities and a range of policies to manage waste development.

A number of ‘Strategic Sites’ had been identified to meet waste capacity needs in Essex and Southend.  None had been identified in Brentwood Borough.  The consultation document identified two ‘Areas of Search’ and three ‘Safeguarded Sites’ within the Borough.  Each of these sites had also been suggested for development in the emerging Brentwood Local Development Plan.  It was not considered that identification of these sites will cause conflict with the development plan, subject to further discussion with Essex County Council regarding appropriate land uses.

The Council’s response to the Waste Local Plan Revised Preferred Approach was approved at the meeting of Planning & Licensing Committee on 21 July 2015.  The committee also agreed that the response be recommended for endorsement by the Environment & Housing Management Committee in light of waste management strategy.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to endorse the response as set out in the report.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.    To endorse the response to the Essex and Southend Replacement Waste Local Plan revised Preferred Approach consultation as set out in Appendix A of the report.

REASONS FOR DECISION

It was not considered necessary to object to the Essex and Southend Replacement Waste Local Plan Revised Preferred Approach consultation, on the basis of identifying two Areas of Search and safeguarding three existing aggregate recycling facilities within the Borough. 

Principally the preferred approach was to meet waste capacity requirements through strategic allocations.  The Areas of Search was an option should none of the strategic allocations be deemed suitable and for non-strategic sites.  Any applications would still be subject to assessment against policies in the Waste Local Plan and Brentwood Local Plan.

The Council supports the main aim of the plan to achieve better and more sustainable ways of dealing with waste, further reduce dependence on landfill and achieve net self-sufficiency for all waste streams.

This response was approved at the meeting of Planning & Licensing Committee on 21 July 2015. 

The committee also agreed that the response was recommended for endorsement by the Environment & Housing Management Committee in light of waste management strategy. Although the Waste Local Plan had no direct implications for local waste collection, it was considered necessary to endorse the Council’s consultation response in order to be aware of the proposed waste strategy.