ESA: ‘Encroachment of housing on waste sites is detrimental’

‘A review of the encroachment of residential developments on waste management facilities in England’ found that building new housing too close to facilities can result in additional operational constraints to help mitigate potential impacts on new residents. 

Alongside outlining multiple case studies, the report made several recommendations including a stricter requirement on housing developers to consult with waste operators when a housing development is proposed within 500 metres of an existing waste management facility. 

The report also recommended:  

• Training for planning officers on the issues of relative siting of residential development and waste management facilities. 

• Strengthening of waste facility safeguarding and the weight given to issues arising from encroachment in the planning balance. 

• Better and consistent engagement/consultation between residential developers, waste operators and planning officers on residential and reserved matters applications. 

• Clear expectations from the outset of technical supporting statements for residential development and the carrying-forward of any mitigation to the build out stage. 

• Suitable sign-off by building inspectors against mitigation measures and enforcement where necessary. 

Executive director of the ESA, Jacob Hayler, said: “Meeting housing demand should not come at the expense of delivering infrastructure vital for other parts of the economy, such as waste management facilities.  

“Planners should be sensitive to the potential impacts on waste management facilities when balancing decisions about where to permit new housing. Many potential issues could be identified and addressed through dialogue with waste site operators, while mitigation measures proposed by housing developers during planning should be carried through to construction and more readily enforced by local authorities. 

“Our report aims to positively contribute to the debate and offers a number of practical recommendations for earlier and stronger communications with operators when housing is proposed in close proximity to a waste management facility. With appropriate design considerations factored into nearby housing development there is no reason why waste management facilities cannot co-exist with, and be good neighbours to, other more sensitive development.”