Policy WM 2: Waste Collection and Treatment Facilities

Proposals for the development of a waste collection or treatment facility will be permitted where: (a) there is a need for the facility as established through the WMS and the relevant WMP, except in the case of Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTWs) where the need must be demonstrated to the Department's satisfaction; and (b) the proposed facility is the BPEO; and (c) the proposed facility complies with one or more of the following locational criteria: • it is located within an industrial or port area of a character appropriate to the development; or • it is suitably located within an active or worked out hard rock quarry or on the site of an existing or former waste management facility including a landfill site; or • it brings previously developed, derelict or contaminated land back into productive use or makes use of existing or redundant buildings; or • in the case of a civic amenity and similar neighbourhood facilities the site is conveniently located in terms of access to service a neighbourhood or settlement whilst avoiding unacceptable adverse impact on the character, environmental quality and amenities of the local area; or • where the proposal is in the countryside, it involves the reuse of existing buildings or is on land within or adjacent to existing building groups. Alternatively where it is demonstrated that new buildings/plant are needed these must have an acceptable visual and environmental impact; and (d) the following criteria are also met: • in the case of a regional scale waste collection or treatment facility, its location relates closely to and benefits from easy access to key transport corridors and, where practicable makes use of the alternative transport modes of rail and water; • proposals involving the sorting and processing of waste, are carried out within a purpose built or appropriately modified existing building, unless it can be demonstrated that part or all of the proposed operation can only be carried out in the open; • the built development associated with the proposed methods of handling, storage, treatment and processing of waste is appropriate to the nature and hazards of the waste(s) concerned; • proposals for the incineration of waste and other thermal processes, shall incorporate measures to maximise energy recovery both in the form of heat and electricity, taking account of prevailing technology, economics and characteristics of the waste stream involved; and • it will not result in an unacceptable adverse environmental impact that cannot be prevented or appropriately controlled by mitigating measures (see Policy WM 1).