Welsh plan to boost public engagement with waste planning

Hopes are the guidance – in the form of “community engagement toolkits” – will speed up the planning process and give the public a clearer understanding of waste technology. The toolkits should be available from this Autumn.

“Experience suggests that the public need to be involved as early as possible so that they can be ‘joint partners’ in the process.”
– Andy Rees, Welsh Assembly government

The Welsh Assembly, the Welsh Local Government Association, the Environment Agency Wales and Waste Awareness Wales are all behind the development of the guidance.

The partners have commissioned Hyder Consulting to consult with stakeholders over the summer and come up with the best practice guidance.

Issues
The resulting toolkits should include case studies from around the world and advice about which organisations are best placed to deliver certain messages. They will help address issues including human health, environmental and economic concerns of residents and highlight benefits to the community of facilities, such as the potential for new jobs.

Andy Rees, head of the waste strategy implementation branch at the Welsh Assembly government, explained: “We want to be in a better position to keep local communities informed and to provide them with reassurance about these essential new waste facilities.

“Experience suggests that the public need to be involved as early as possible so that they can be ‘joint partners’ in the process from strategy through to procurement and planning. This involvement will help to achieve a smoother transition from choice and location of facility through to construction and operation and will help promote a necessary cultural change in Wales,” Mr Rees said.

“Essential”
Planning of waste management infrastructure in Wales has been historically difficult, with even the most basic facilities, such as bring banks, facing rejection in the face of public opposition.

The Welsh government partnership said that the construction of new waste management facilities is “absolutely essential” if Wales is to meet its European and UK targets to divert waste from landfill.

Kevin Bishop, director regeneration and environment at the Welsh Local Government Association, said: “Local Authorities in Wales are facing ever increasing challenges in their role as community leaders and local planning and waste management authorities.

“Engaging key stakeholders and gaining public understanding and support at an early stage in the process will help promote a smoother, more timely planning process by ensuring that members of the public feel involved in and can contribute effectively to the decision making process,” Mr Bishop added.