Waste Management Facilities

14.23 Facilities for the sorting, processing and treatment of waste normally involve industrial type activities and can generate large numbers of heavy goods vehicle movements. Because of their industrial nature they are most suited to locations within specified industrial areas or at existing mineral or waste sites or on sites that are being reclaimed for a beneficial use. Scrapyards are also included in this category of waste handling and again these are best suited to locations within industrial areas.

14.24 Recycling involves the processing of waste materials such as wood, plastic, metal, brick, rubble and paper, to produce usable raw materials or products. There are benefits to be gained from recycling by conserving natural resources, saving energy in production and transport, reducing the demand for landfill, the risk of pollution and level of methane gas emissions. However, there are also disadvantages as they can result in large numbers of vehicle movements, they may be unsightly, especially if material is handled or stored outside in the open, and the plant used could result in noise and dust nuisance.

14.25 The markets for recycled products can be unstable, and as such, recycling will only produce environmental benefits if there is a demand for its goods and that they replace products from primary sources. As a result the following Policy will apply:-

Policy WM 6

Transfer and Treatment of Waste

Proposals for the provision of waste management facilities for the handling, treatment and transfer of waste that reduces the volume of waste will be supported if:-
  1. they are located in industrial areas; or
  2. located in existing landfill or mineral working sites.
In addition, proposals will be required to meet all the following requirements:-
  1. all operations (including storage) which would cause injury to amenity shall be undertaken in suitably designed buildings and the site landscaped and screened;
  2. the development will not give rise to unacceptable impacts on people or the environment in terms of noise, dust, traffic, litter, vermin, odour, visual intrusion, or pollution of ground water and surface water;
  3. the existing highway network can accommodate the traffic generated; and
  4. the provisions of other relevant UDP policies are met.

Where it is proposed to locate development at a landfill or mineral working site, the restoration of the site must not be prejudiced and the development should be removed on completion of the landfill or mineral operations, unless material considerations support their permanent retention.

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