The Waste Development Framework was originally named the Waste Local Plan but has changed as a result of the new planning and compulsory purchase act, July 2004.
The consultation for residents was launched with a key stakeholder workshop on November 3 2004 and is being followed by an online consultation that will be available from November 10 2004 until 31 January 2005.
The consultation describes the challenges facing the county in the planning and disposal of waste, and also includes draft policies. There are four summary papers accompanying the issue papers, which help to explain supporting technical reports and site information.
Waste policy
The council has also created a waste policy, which will provide the overall vision and guidelines for reducing and managing all forms of waste in Surrey. The waste policy has been implemented to achieve the government set target of 36% recycling and composting by 2006.
The council has acted now in advance of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS), which will be introduced in 2005. The scheme will impose a penalty of up to 200 for every tonne of biodegradable waste dumped in landfill over a county's yearly allocation.
David Davis, Surrey council's executive member for the environment, said: “If the volume of waste created in Surrey continues to grow at today's rate we calculate that next year Surrey could incur penalties of upwards of 6 million.
“If nothing is done to reduce our reliance on landfill, by 2020 the annual fine for that year could reach 83 million. Given this absolute worst case scenario, the total accumulated cost to Surrey council taxpayers between 2005 and 2020 could reach 721 million,” he said.
Surrey county council has been running a series of workshops on the issues facing it between May and October this year. Organisations visited include: resident associations, schools and other community groups.
Following this phase of events Surrey council will develop “preferred options” in the draft Waste Development Framework that will be available for consultation in October 2005.
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