3rd November 2006

Glos CC have adopted a new policy that requires Major Development proposals to be accompanied by a Waste Management Statement for consideration with the application.

The proposals cover a range of issues and include the need for developers to provide evidence that the scheme's design has incorporated steps to eliminate waste, that at least 10% of the materials to be used will be comprised of recycled content and others are sustainably sourced, methods for dealing with demolition waste and reusing it where possible, waste collection Authority advice has been obtained including adequate access for waste collection vehicles and providing storage areas for recycling boxes etc. 

Cllr Martin Whiteside, Parliamentary spokesperson for Stroud District Green party commented: "This move by Gloucestershire County Council is to be welcomed. This is is an important first step that will hopefully allow opportunities to iron out difficulties before it should be extended. For example although GCC will offer advice on the policy they offer no mechanism to be consulted on the suitability or adequacy of proposals received with an application - they suggest that Council's liaise with their own internal waste recycling/collection teams. This clearly needs more work and in future we must see that 10% figure increase."

Notes:

(i) Supplementary Planning Document to their Waste Local Plan -  "Waste Minimisation in Development Projects" at:
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/adobe_acrobat/4/h/adopted%20SPD.pdf