§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that, if a bus depot is built on Creswicke Road playing fields, Bristol, there will be no increased health risk to local residents from the increase in PM10 and PM2.5 particles from diesel emissions. [HL2080]
§ Baroness HaymanHer Majesty's Government cannot comment on the specific circumstances at Creswicke Road playing fields in Bristol since it is still possible that an appeal could be lodged against the conditions which were attached to the planning permission for the bus depot.
The noble Lord may, however, like to be aware that we brought into force at the end of last year a new system of local air quality management under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995. Local authorities now have a duty to review and assess air quality, to designate Air Quality Management Areas where statutory air quality objectives are unlikely to be met, and to draw up action plans for those areas in pursuit of the objectives. In this context, guidance was issued to local authorities about air quality and land use planning, which is available in the Library.
§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied that Bristol City Council has obtained satisfactory guarantees from First Corporation that adequate compensation will be paid to anyone whose health is impaired by pollution, following the granting of planning permission for a large bus depot at Creswicke Road playing fields. [HL2081]
§ Baroness HaymanResponsibility for the grant of planning permission, and the content of any associated legal agreement, rests with Bristol City Council. Her Majesty's Government is not in a position to comment on this matter.