Agenda item

To receive information on the consultation on the plans for waste disposal sites over the next 15/20 years.

Geoff Winslow, Team Leader, Minerals & Waste Policy, gave a presentation regarding the consultation on the plans for waste management sites over the next 15/20 years.

The following issues were discussed:

·         The consultation on waste sites will begin on 13 June 2011 for a period of 8 weeks.

·         The Waste Sites DPD is the final key document in the waste policy framework for Wiltshire and Swindon.

·         It will ensure that future waste development proposals are for the right type of facilities in the right locations.

·         It allocates a range of locations for a variety of potential sites to ensure that dependence on landfill is reduced with a greater focus on recycling, treating and composting waste.

·         It is very important to ensure that the Council has a flexible framework of waste sites as there could be fines if targets are not met.

·         Sites have been identified through examination of existing waste facilities minerals workings, local plans, employment allocations and key industrial and employment areas.

·         Sites have now been appraised and a range of site options are available for consultation.  43 sites are being consulted on.

·         Two previous rounds of consultation took place in 2006 and 2010 and the relevant issues have been assessed. 

·         The current consultation contains a mixture of 14 strategic sites and 29 local sites.

·         Three sites have been identified in the Tidworth Community Area these are:

o   Castledown Business Park, Ludgershall

o   Everleigh Waste Management Facility, Everleigh

o   Pickpit Hill, Tidworth

·         The consultation document can be viewed on the Council’s website using the link http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal

• Hard copies will also be available at the Council’s main offices and libraries.

There was then an opportunity to ask questions and the following issues were raised:

·         It was confirmed that all responses submitted under the previous consultation had been considered.  If sites which people had previously objected to were still included in the current consultation this meant that officers felt the issues raised could be overcome.

·         If the government felt that the plan was not sound then it would be rejected.

·         The waste that would be dealt with in the Tidworth area would come from the south of the county.

·         Some people questioned the need for facilities in both Amesbury and Tidworth.  Officers explained that more sites were required to ensure flexibility.

·         A question was asked regarding the link between Hills Waste and the Council.  Officers confirmed that Hills already have a contract with Wiltshire Council but that there was no link between Hills and the Castledown Site or this consultation process.

·         Some concern was expressed regarding the advertising of the Extraordinary Tidworth Area Board meeting to be held on 6 June.  It was felt that people were not aware of this meeting.  Officers confirmed that the meeting would be publicised in the usual way i.e.local radio, website and local newspapers.

·         Concern was expressed about the proposed use of the Castledown Business Park as it was felt that this was contrary to the community plan.

·         The Chairman then asked those present at the meeting their views on the proposed sites.  People were in favour of the proposals for Everleigh and Pickpit Hill but were against the proposal for Castledown Business Park.

·         Cllr Connolly asked whether a planning application for a strategic waste facility was submitted for Castledown Business Park, which is designated as a local site, would this be grounds for refusal of the application.  Mr Winslow thought that this may be considered a valid reason for refusal.

Decision

The Tidworth Area Board does not support the proposals for the Castledown Business Park as it is contrary to the Community Area Plan.

Action

Marie Todd, Area Board and Member Support Manager, to feed the views of the Area Board into the waste sites consultation.