Once the Waste DPD is submitted to the Government will that be the end of the exercise?
No. There will be an Examination in Public. During that exercise the proposals will undergo a thorough and independent examination and will be tested by an Inspector. This will be another chance to look at the soundness of the plan.
Once the Waste DPD is approved will it be set in stone?
No. Although the Waste DPD is designed to meet the waste management needs of Merseyside and Halton until 2027 it will undergo periodic reviews as part of implementing and monitoring the performance of the plan. This will ensure that it remains fit for purpose during its lifetime and continues to address the issues specific to the communities, businesses and services of Merseyside and Halton.
How does the Waste DPD fit in with national and European policies?
The Waste DPD must be consistent with regional policies covering the North West region, as well as policies and rules laid down by the Government and the EU, particularly European rules on landfill.
How much waste do we currently produce on Merseyside and Halton?
Between us we produce over 4 million tonnes of waste a year in Merseyside and Halton which broadly consists of:
- MSW - 0.87m tonnes
- Commercial - 0.71m tonnes
- Industrial - 0.61m tonnes
- CD&E - 2.25m tonnes
- Haz. - 0.16m tonnes
- Agri. - 0.02m tones
- And negligible quantities of low and very low level radioactive wastes
How much household waste do we recycle at the moment?
During 2009 33% of our household waste is recycled or composted. The aim is for this to rise to 40% in 2010 and 50% in 2020.
Where will the proposed sites be found?
At the start of the Waste DPD process, the six local authorities agreed a system to score and assess the technical potential sites for future waste use. This system took into account how close the sites are to a variety of uses such as housing, schools, hospitals, or greenbelt land as well as their distribution across the six Districts. This system enabled suitable areas for waste management to be identified. The sites will vary in size and will be mostly be contained within existing industrial areas and there is a good spread of proposed allocations across the sub region.
Will waste management activities take place within buildings?
Virtually all waste management activities will be in enclosed buildings. Many of these buildings will be very similar in appearance to other light industrial buildings found in many business parks and industrial areas in Merseyside and Halton. Many of these activities will generate heavy goods vehicle traffic. Quality architecture can play a key role in the development of waste management facilities and the Waste DPD will explore how policy can drive industry into using quality design.
Will local councils have to give planning permission?
Planning applications for sites identified through the Waste DPD will still go through the usual process administered by each of the District Planning Departments. The benefit of the Waste DPD is that the waste industry will be directed to using suitable sites for waste manage use and will find it difficult to get planning permission for unsuitable sites. The policy framework should provide greater certainty for the waste industry and local communities and therefore, avoid risks. Once approved the Waste DPD may also be used by the District councils to reject planning applications for unsuitable waste projects.
Why is Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority also looking for sites?
Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority and other waste operators may need to plan to build facilities in the very near future. They can put forward plans for developing sites before the Waste DPD has allocated sites, and in that event local councils will determine planning applications on their merits and according to the existing policy framework.
Are there environmental benefits to be gained from the Waste DPD?
The benefits will be vast. Merseyside and Halton will have a long-term plan to manage our waste in a way that meets our needs and protects the environment. The long term nature of the Waste DPD and the supportive policy framework will provide greater certainty in our waste management planning.
Does the Waste DPD cover just household waste?
No. Much of the waste we generate in Merseyside/Halton comes from industry and we have to look at what happens to all waste.
