This assessment is intended to help ensure that planning permissions are likely to be forthcoming for residual waste treatment facilities in respect of which government approval for procurement and funding is sought by the Waste Disposal Authority (WDA).
The assessment sets out questions intended to establish compliance with the following criteria for securing waste PFI credits (Defra, May 2006).
- Proposals should demonstrate that other relevant authorities, the public, and interested parties have been consulted and that there is a broad consensus supporting a recognised long term waste management strategy which is reflected in the proposed solution. (para 6)1
- Projects should have potential sites under consideration which accord with the relevant waste planning authority's statutory development plan. Where this is being updated to reflect Planning Policy Statement 10 (PPS10) projects should align with the policies in PPS10. (para 13)
- Authorities responsible for projects will be expected to engage in the preparation of the relevant regional spatial strategy and local development plan documents so as to help secure an up-to-date and supportive planning context in line with PPS10, including appropriate land allocations. (para 14)
- Authorities should take proactive action to acquire sites in line with the development plan, or which they are confident will accord with the development plan if components of the development plan are under review or in preparation. (para 15)
Furthermore WIDP has prepared Planning Systems Guidance to assist WDAs in understanding the development planning system, and how WDAs can best go about securing a supportive planning context. WDA's are expected to be cognisant of this guidance in responding to the questions set out below.
This assessment first of all sets out questions to establish an overview of the situation. More detailed questions are then posed in respect of each element.
• Questions should be answered in relation to all sites required for the project and reserve sites.
• Your responses should be signed off by the head of waste services
Where necessary, please provide any additional information that you think will help clarify the situation in respect of the question
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1 A policy-compliant process for developing either a municipal waste management strategy or development plan document will have included community engagement and development/appraisal of options.