Rural
Local authorities, developers and their advisors often look at existing waste sites when undertaking alternative site assessments for new waste facilities. Landfill sites are often associated with mineral operations in rural locations. There are often planning advantages associated with the continuation of waste activities in
PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE Hornsey Street, Islington
What is it? ■ Waste Transfer; bulking and civic amenity site incorporating a waste education centre. Design Features ■ Integration of a large scale facility within a tightly constrained high density urban site. ■ Innovative multi level layout, enables good use of space on a reduced building footprint compared with most facilities of this type. ■ The facility provides opportunities for waste education and awareness through the 'i-recycle' Centre which provides links to schools and the wider community.
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locations where there are existing planning precedents and transport links and where local residents have become accustomed to this use. This is particularly true if an existing landfill has a long remaining life.
The siting of large buildings in the countryside is generally contrary to the principles of planning set out in PPS 1 (2005) and other national guidance. Historically, large agricultural buildings have been the obvious exception to this general rule. There are other related issues associated with the location of waste facilities in the green belt policy (PPG 2, 1995).
Assuming a balanced planning assessment results in a strong case for development in the countryside, it may be appropriate to consider imaginative solutions but these need to be evaluated carefully. In most situations even medium-sized waste facilities will not be effectively screened by landscaping or bunds. Indeed, this invites entirely the wrong philosophy. Simple, attractive, well-designed buildings with quality detailing can fit with a rural context without going to great lengths to hide them behind unnatural earth bunds or inappropriate blocks of trees.