• If the WDA's preferred site is one that has not been specifically allocated in a development plan it must be aware that there may be a greater risk of delays in determining any planning application or even not obtaining a planning permission. PPS10 expects that 'any refusal of planning permission on grounds of prematurity will not be justified unless it accords with policy in The Planning System: General Principles'. However, local communities can be hostile to applications for waste proposals. Those without a specific allocation in an adopted plan are less likely to receive support from local communities. If the planning policy issues are adequately dealt within the application and the proposal complies with policy, then it is anticipated that the proposal would be more likely to receive a favourable determination.
• Prior to submission of an application, comprehensive community engagement should have been undertaken together with very thorough pre-application meetings. There need to be good channels of communication between the WDA, the applicant (if different) and the waste planning officers, key consultees and members of the local community (where appropriate).
• Furthermore, where proposals are likely to come forward in advance of the LDF then it may be advisable to carry out a SA at an early stage to ensure continuity in the whole process and, in particular, the selection of sites and the consideration of alternatives.