§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning applications for sewage sludge incinerators are currently being considered by planning authorities in England and Wales; and if he will name those which he has called in for public inquiry.
§ Mr. Baldry[pursuant to his reply 22 October 1922, c. 351]: The Secretaries of State are not automatically informed of all planning applications for sewage sludge incinerators. However, the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation) Direction 1992 requires local planning authorities to notify them of development proposals which would significantly prejudice implementation of a development plan. Through this mechanism, we are aware of two applications currently before local planning authorities—Crossness in the 545W London borough of Bexley and at Beckton in the London borough of Newham. Neither of these applications has been called in.
In addition to these current applications, Northumbrian Water and Internal Technology Europe Ltd. have appealed to the Secretary of State in respect of their incinerator proposals at East Howden in north Tyneside and at Portrack in Stockton-on-Tees; a public inquiry has been held and the Secretary of State is considering the inspector's report.