Waste sites should be safeguarded against residential encroachment
The UK’s waste and recycling sector has long voiced concern about encroachment of residential properties on existing waste sites, an issue brought to the fore on last night’s The One Show.
The Environmental Services Association (ESA), which represents the sector, has called for housing development to be prevented from encroaching within 200 metres of existing waste management facilities and for operators of such facilities to be consulted if a new housing development is proposed within 250 metres of a waste site boundary.
ESA’s Policy Advisor, Stephen Freeland said:
“It is a matter of serious concern for many of our members that an increasing number of planning permissions are being granted for residential developments in the vicinity of waste management sites; a matter which seems to completely ignore the guidelines for compatible land use.
In the instance highlighted on last night’s The One Show, it is very worrying that homes have been built in close proximity to a hazardous waste management site, and in particular near to the site’s toxic and flammable waste storage bays without due care for the potential impact that situation could have. More generally, we recognise that pressure on local authorities to deliver new housing is placing demand on any available space within local plan areas and increasingly bringing new housing development within closer proximity to existing waste and recycling sites. While local authorities of course have targets to increase housing supply, meeting housing demand should not be at the expense of other vital components of the economy.
While modern waste management facilities strive to be good neighbours and can of course co-exist with other types of development, more sensitive development (such as housing) should be prevented from encroaching. In situations where there is little alternative but to consent housing development, careful consideration of planning conditions attached to the design of new housing could help reduce potential for nuisance”.