§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning applications for 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. BaldryThere is no mechanism whereby the Secretary of State for the Environment or the Secretary of State for Wales are automatically informed of all planning applications for sewerage sludge incinerators, as planning applications are primarily a matter for the local planning authorities. However the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation) Directions 1992 require local planning authorities to notify the Secretaries of State of development proposals which would significantly prejudice implementation of a development plan. We are therefore aware of only two applications currently before local planning authorities. These are Thames Water's incinerator proposals at Crossness in the London borough of Bexley and at Beckton in the London borough of Newham. Neither of these applications has been called in. There may be other applications of which we are unaware.
In addition to these current applications, Northumbrian Water and International Technology Europe Ltd. have appealed to the Secretary of State in respect of their incinerator proposals at East Howden in North Tyneside and at Portrach in Stockton-on-Tees; a public inquiry has been held and the Secretary of State is considering the inspector's report.