REGIONAL PLANNERS TIGHTEN SOUTH EAST WASTE TARGETS

THE SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANNING COMMITTEE IS PROPOSING TOUGHER TARGETS in the new Regional Waste Strategy following recent public consultation. It also calls for more Government backing to deliver its stricter policy.

After a three-month consultation period, the Regional Planning Committee has revised the draft Regional Waste Strategy for the South East, which the full Regional Assembly will consider at its meeting on 19 November 2003. Following this, the Strategy will be submitted to Government for public examination in the new year.

Following key changes to the Strategy are proposed:

• Increasing recycling targets for household, construction and demolition waste;
  
  
• A tougher policy on waste imports from London with targets for a decline in the amount of waste coming to the South East region’s landfill sites;
  
  
• Retaining policies to allow energy from waste and incineration facilities, provided that they process material that cannot realistically be recycled, and are operated to the highest standards;
  
  
• Favouring brownfield sites when creating new waste facilities, however, accepting possible use of green belt and countryside land, given the urgent need for new waste facilities;
  
  
• Providing more guidance on the number and types of waste facilities needed;
  
  
• Setting up a task group to advise on the best way to manage hazardous waste;
  
  
• Adding an implementation plan to the submitted Strategy to identify how it will be delivered.

Councillor Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Regional Planning Committee and Leader of Oxfordshire County Council commented: "The Regional Waste Strategy is a fundamental framework for waste planning and management at local and regional levels for the next twenty years. The Regional Planning Committee carefully considered the comments and feedback from local authorities, town and parish councils, business, social and environmental organisations and individuals. Not all comments could be accepted, however, we have modified the Strategy in the light of many comments.

" The Strategy sets some challenging targets, particularly for reducing reliance on landfill, and will require the creation of a large number of new facilities for waste across the region. If we are to achieve these targets, however, it is vital that the Government provides sufficient regulations and incentives to stimulate the right investment. It also needs to support planning authorities when dealing with waste proposals. This backing has not been consistently provided to date and that now needs to change. "

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007