 12.1 The Council is preparing an Integrated Waste Management and Recycling Strategy Plan to update the current Recycling Plan. It is intended to formulate an integrated strategy that will meet future Waste management needs of the authority at a local and national level reviewing the current arrangements for: refuse collection, recycling, civic amenity site provision, waste disposal and street cleansing. The plan will primarily be focused on waste minimisation, recovery and recycling. 12.2 The Best Practical Environmental Option is an over-arching principle upon which the Government wishes to see future waste management decisions based, using the following principles: - Regional self-sufficiency: The Council supports the Regional Waste Planning Strategy that is being prepared in collaboration with neighbouring authorities. The Regional Strategy will in turn guide the Council’s integrated Waste Management and Recycling Strategy Plan referred to in paragraph 12.1.
- Proximity principle: Where most waste is disposed of as close to the place of production as possible.
- Waste hierarchy.
The Council will encourage management of waste under an overall framework, which respects the principle of Best Practical Environmental Option and the following hierarchy of waste handling: - Waste reduction,
- Re-use,
- Recovery, and
- Safe disposal.
12.3 For the last decade and longer landfill has been the principal means of waste disposal in Sandwell. It has been selected on account of its low cost and the ready availability of sites for this purpose. The Council needs to look at strategies aimed at reducing the amount of waste generated by households, and then assess how the level of recovery, through recycling, composting or energy from waste, of the remaining waste can be substantially increased. 12.4 The Council expects that incineration with energy recovery will only be considered after opportunities for recycling and composting have been fully explored. 12.5 Recycling has the potential not only to reduce the quantity of waste to be disposed of, but also to reduce demand for raw materials. Whilst the contribution made by recycling is small at present, there are opportunities to significantly increase both the quantity and types of materials that can be reused. 12.6 New developments will be encouraged to consider waste management issues in their design in accordance with the Government ’s Waste Strategy 2000, and the aims of PPG 10 Waste Management.
The design of development proposals will need to demonstrate that waste issues have been dealt with in accordance with the Best Practical Environmental Options principles and in accordance with the waste hierarchy. In addition, all applications for planning permission will be expected to show how waste will be disposed of during the construction stage. 12.7 Considerable waste can be generated by the construction of development and its subsequent after-use. Waste arising from such sources should follow the principles of the waste hierarchy as established in the Government’s Waste Strategy 2000 and endorsed by the Council.
Planning permission will not be granted for further landfill sites for domestic and commercial waste management throughout the Borough, except where: - This is shown to be necessary to achieve the reclamation of a site for a defined beneficial after-use, or
- If it is shown to be the Best Practical Environmental Option available.
12.8 The last of the suitable sites for landfill in Sandwell (Hailstone/Edwin Richards Quarry) is now being filled in conjunction with mineral extraction. The size of the site and filling capacity are sufficient to take all collected domestic and commercial waste from Sandwell, and more, for the duration of the plan period. There is, therefore, a strong case for arguing that there is no further need for landfill capacity. 12.9 As a result of extensive mineral working in the Borough in the past, the opportunity for waste disposal through landfill operations has been great. The environmental impact of such activity is not only a short-term problem while operations are being carried out, but can be long-term resulting in landfill gas contamination and land of insufficient load bearing capacity (see
PC6 and
PC7). Due to past activity, large areas of the Borough have been adversely affected. The further provision of landfill sites would extend this area of land. 12.10 Waste materials of the right kind may be used to reclaim sites for particular purposes where these are derelict. Inert waste has been used as fill for development sites and it may be used on agricultural land. The Council will need to be satisfied, when considering proposals, that waste disposal is essential for the reclamation of the land to a beneficial use, rather than disposal being an end in itself.
Where landfill is proved to be necessary, whether to bring about the reclamation of a site for beneficial use, and/or is shown to be the Best Practical Environmental Option available, in considering the proposals the following will be taken into account: - The suitability of the materials, and the method of infill for the use proposed;
- The impact of the proposal on the environment including any measures to safeguard the amenity of adjoining land uses, particularly residential property;
- The need and opportunity to retain, conserve and enhance areas of geological, ecological and scientific interest within or adjacent to the proposal;
- Satisfactory measures for landscaping and restoring the site to a beneficial after use;
- The impact of traffic generated by the proposal on the adjoining area;
- The need for adequate pollution control measures, including the need to avoid adverse effects on neighbouring land.
12.11 Landfill operations can have a severe adverse impact on their surroundings. The criteria set out in the policy arise out of the main areas where problems can be caused from active and closed landfill sites. The Council will expect high standards in terms of operations carried out on a day-to-day basis, and on restoration of permitted landfill sites.
Where necessary, buffer zones will be defined around landfill sites in which new residential development or other sensitive uses will not be permitted. 12.12 Definition of a buffer zone will enable the reduction of the potential conflict that arises between landfill and other sensitive uses, which could lead to pressure for cessation of landfill. Such a zone will be defined in consultation with operators, landowners, the relevant statutory agencies and, where appropriate, local residents. The buffer zone will be retained at least until tipping has ceased and subsequent reclamation has been completed. The retention of the buffer zone beyond this time will depend on a number of factors; for example, the nature of the fill material. It will be subject to review and amendment, where necessary, to accommodate changing circumstances.
The Council will not grant planning permission for any development proposal in the vicinity of waste management facilities, where the proposed development would unduly restrict or constrain the activities permitted to be carried out within the facility. 12.13 Waste management facilities carry out valuable operations that should not be unduly constrained by the encroachment of inappropriate development.
Waste management facilities, such as waste transfer stations, incineration, material recycling facilities or other treatment plants, should be located within industrial areas. Permission will not be granted for facilities outside such areas. 12.14 Facilities and sites required for the handling and treatment of waste are industrial by nature and very often fall into the category of ‘bad neighbour ’ uses by reason of their manner of operation and the materials handled. For these reasons it is necessary to ensure that these are located as far as possible from sensitive areas. The location of facilities will be determined by the compatibility with local conditions, which will be in predominantly industrial areas.
When considering proposals for new, or extensions to, waste management facilities, the following will be taken into account: - The need for the facility;
- The impact of the proposal on the environment, particularly in relation to sensitive land uses;
- The need for adequate pollution control arrangements in relation to the type of waste to be processed or handled;
- Measures contained in the proposal to overcome any adverse environmental impact; and
- The impact of traffic generated by the proposal.
12.15 The provision of waste management facilities should make a positive contribution to improving the environment. However, because of the nature of these industrial processes they can be detrimental to the surrounding area. There is a need to minimize any adverse effect on any other land or premises as a result of waste disposal activities. The criteria listed in the policy set out the main areas where problems can arise. The Council will expect high standards of any facilities for permission to be granted and for these standards to be maintained or improved. It is the intention that, where possible, waste materials and their after products are transported by a means other than road.
Recycling facilities for the following kinds of materials will be promoted and encouraged at suitable locations: - Recycling facilities for all waste, including construction and demolition waste;
- Container banks; and
- Composting.
 12.16 The Government has set a target to recycle or compost 30% of household waste by 2010. Recycling facilities for materials including glass, paper, cans, and clothing are provided at a variety of locations across Sandwell. A flexible approach will be maintained over the plan period to accommodate new disposal pressures as they arise, based around maintaining a range of facilities from public waste disposal sites, material recycling facilities and composting, to improving local facilities at supermarkets. Container banks will need to be located in places, which are convenient for the public, either close to their homes, and accessible by cycle or on foot, or else by car in a location designed to encourage a journey combined with other purposes. 12.17 The collection of recyclable material by door step collections will be assessed and costed, to encourage greater participation in of recycling, in order to start the process of meeting the Government ’s targets within the new waste strategy.
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