The Essex and Southend Replacement Waste Local Plan Revised Preferred Approach is out for public consultation from 18 June to 30 July 2015.  The document sets out the preferred approach on a strategy for waste development up until 2032.  It proposes 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’ have been identified to meet the waste capacity needs of Essex and Southend.  None have been identified in Brentwood Borough.  The consultation document identifies two ‘Areas of Search’ and three ‘Safeguarded Sites’ within Brentwood Borough.

Each of these sites has also been proposed for development in the emerging Brentwood Local Development Plan.  It is not considered that identification of these sites as Areas of Search and Safeguarded Sites would cause conflict with the development plan, subject to further discussion with Essex County Council regarding appropriate land uses.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr McCheyne and SECONDED by Cllr Trump to agree the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.         That the response to the Essex and Southend Replacement Waste Local Plan Revised Preferred Approach June 2015 consultation as set out in Appendix A of this report be approved

2.            That the response as set out in Appendix A be agreed and recommended for endorsement by the Environment & Housing Management Committee at its next meeting on 9 September 2015.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

It is 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 of the emerging Replacement Waste Local Plan is to meet the waste capacity requirements through strategic allocations (none of which are identified in the Brentwood Borough).  The Areas of Search would be an option for waste development should none of the strategic allocations be deemed suitable and for non-strategic sites.  Any applications would still be subject to assessment against the appropriate policies of the Waste Local Plan and Brentwood Local Plan.

The Brentwood Borough Local Plan will need to identify sufficient additional employment land for the plan period.  If the sites at West Horndon and Codham Hall Farm are allocated there will still need to be additional employment land identified in the Borough to meet future needs which may be suitable as alternative locations for future waste facilities.

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

Once adopted the RWLP will provide a wide ranging strategy with significance across Council services.  Feedback has been sought from the Street Scene & Environment Department.  It is also recommended that the Council’s response to the RWLP be endorsed by the Environment & Housing Management Committee at its next meeting on 9 September 2015.

(Cllr Carter was not present for this item and therefore did not take part in the vote).